Border Crossers: How can artists contribute to the debate about immigration?

Today, the increasing numbers of people moving from their home countries to seek a better life has led to intense global debates about migration and borders, especially about undocumented immigrants. The U.S has a long history of immigration and restrictive immigration policies that have largely been based on discrimination. Starting with the arrival of European colonists in 1592, the U.S. has been populated by people arriving from across the world, displacing the indigenous people who are the original inhabitants. Immigration from Mexico and Central America has been viewed as a major domestic problem and yet our economy and daily lives rely on immigrant labor who work on farms, in restaurants, hotels and many other service industries. The recent caravan of immigrants from Central America is directly connected to U.S. foreign policies that have created instability in those countries and forced people to flee unsafe neighborhoods, lack of food and jobs. Many artists use art not just to reflect on or represent the topic of immigration, but to intervene in the realities and events unfolding around the country. Their work opens up dialogue about this issue with the hope of changing the story and public policy. Students will explore how art can create counter stories that humanize our understanding of immigration using a wide range of media, materials, and creative strategies.