immigration, caregiving, feminism

Writer Angela Garbes’ second book, Essential Labor: Mothering as Social Change, crystallizes this shift, and argues that “raising children is not a private hobby” but rather is “some of the only truly essential work humans do.” For this reason, Garbes argues that mothering can’t be treated as a subject that belongs only to women, but rather must be... See more

Parenting Advice Is Dying. Here’s What’s Coming Next.

The women the N.D.W.A. represents are diverse and scattered. There are more than two million domestic workers in the United States, most women of color and immigrants. They are housecleaners, nannies and health aides working in private homes, a majority making less than $13 an hour. It’s a work force that is extremely heterogeneous, largely... See more

Alyssa Rosenberg • The New Labor Movement Fighting for Domestic Workers’ Rights (Published 2019)

the recognition of what they have in common (their exploitation) is their power

In Hong Kong, the vast majority of Filipino migrants are domestic workers, often raising other people’s children. CNN spoke with several of these women, and adults who grew up in the Philippines without their mothers, about the emotional toll of being separated for years.

The Philippines’ migrant workers, and the children left behind

the heavy irony of performing domestic labor in someone else’s home with someone else’s children just to provide financially for your own

As children grow up, they may harbor guilt since they feel conflicted between wanting to live out their authentic truth yet fearing they could lose their mother’s love if it’s perceived as a rejection of her teachings. They may unconsciously respond by developing adaptive survival mechanisms to secure their mother’s love

Understanding The Mother Wound, The Intergenerational Pain Women Inherit | Dr Nae

This demonstrates that children being held in immigration detention experience high levels of mental health distress and that the psychological impacts of being children of immigrants or children of immigrant status can scar an adolescent and traumatize their lives, possibly creating more problems for them later on in their lives.

Danielle Rousseau • Detention Center Trauma and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Symptoms Among Immigrant Children and Children of Immigrants | Danielle Rousseau

OFWs are the country’s modern-day heroes because they not only boost the Philippines’ economy through remittances but are figures of resilience. OFWs endure homesickness, personal sacrifices, and horrible working conditions in order to support their families back home.

Overseas Filipino Workers: The Modern-Day Heroes of the Philippines

glorification of perseverance in the face of hardship obfuscates the need for reforms

The adoption of birthright citizenship in the United States can be traced to the ratification of the Fourteenth Amendment in 1868. Enacted following the end of the Civil War, the Fourteenth Amendment (among many things), guaranteed certain rights for African Americans in all states.

The Origins of Birthright Citizenship in the United States, Explained - American Immigration Council

The central question of the book is, what does it mean to be an American, and who decides?

Book: 'A Good American Family: The Red Scare and My Father'

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services said officers will now consider whether an applicant for benefits, such as a green card, "endorsed, promoted, supported, or otherwise espoused" anti-American, terrorist or antisemitic views.

"America's benefits should not be given to those who despise the country and promote anti-American ideologies,"... See more