Immigration is the heart of what has built the United States as a collection of diverse communities, rich in varied cultures, languages, backgrounds, but unified in their ability to contribute to the society they call home. The current U.S. administration has been merciless in its campaign of anti-immigrant sentiment and policy. ICE raids terrorize neighborhoods, mass deportation leaves families devastated and tortured under inhumane conditions. Migrants, outstanding reflections of the so-called ‘American Dream,’ must live in fear as the nation that should have welcomed their efforts only punishes them brutally, calling them the ‘enemy.’ It is vital in such challenging times that we stand in solidarity with immigrants, that we support their cause in resisting the injustice they are currently facing. In this way, we recognize the beauty and strength in a U.S. that is defined by diversity, collective unity, and acceptance.
Step on ICE
As families are viciously torn apart and lives are being upturned due to ongoing ICE crackdowns, we have to stand together and be there for our community and our people. ICE is not welcome — not here, not anywhere. People should not have to live every day in fear wondering if their life or the lives of their loved ones will change at any second. People should not be afraid of stepping outside of their homes, picking their kids up from school, going to work — living their lives. We can not and will not rest until this is no longer our reality and ICE is abolished.
We Are Entering Our 2024 Election Voting Era: Why Voting Slays
At thirteen, I remember my parents frantically looking through a box in their closet containing important documents. They were searching for their citizenship papers, even though they had been United States citizens long before the election of a candidate whose campaign centered around deporting immigrants. My mother found the documents, held them closely, and sighed, relieved that everything was in order. Such was not the case for many other immigrants in the United States. Extended family and friends we knew were forced out of their homes, and their lives were forever changed. The fear that ensued from the results of the 2016 election was how I was first introduced to voting.
Seeking Safety: LGBTQ+ Migrants Fight for Asylum
Whether through proposed restrictions, new waves of immigration, or the continued unjust vilification of migrants, stories of U.S. immigration are constantly circulating in many different forms of media. However, a topic that frequently remains unnoticed by a majority of the public is that of the immigration of LGBTQ+ people and the specific struggles that LGBTQ+ migrants face.
Interview with Kabalikat Kore – Honoring Queer Filipinos During Filipino American History Month
Filipino American History Month is celebrated in October. UCLA has a vibrant Filipino community on campus, with fifteen Filipino-focused student organizations that focus on the academic and personal development of Filipino Americans at UCLA. Kabalikat Kore (KK) is one such organization at UCLA that celebrates and uplifts queer Filipino Americans, giving them a space to meet and socialize with one another. I spoke with Miko Dinulos (he/him), the External Vice President of KK. Miko is a second-year psychology major from Ventura County. We chatted about the importance of Filipino American History Month and the queer Filipino experience.
Catharsis Through Queer Media: A Review of “Everything Everywhere All at Once”
“Everything Everywhere All at Once” is a love letter to the Asian American immigrant community and a startlingly sincere portrayal of modern queerness. In an era of formulaic superhero films and live-action Disney remakes, it is a breath of fresh air and a reminder that art can be transformative.