On March 15, 2024, filmmaker Alex Rivera and historian Kelly Lytle Hernandez will discuss the historical origins of deportation and its lasting effects on contemporary immigration policy. The event, titled “Where Does Deportation Come From?” will take place in Logan Heights, San Diego. This conversation comes at a time when immigration enforcement has intensified, marked by aggressive actions from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) across the United States.
Understanding the Historical Context
During a recent interview, Professor Hernandez, a historian from UCLA, emphasized the critical need to understand the roots of deportation in light of current events. “We are in a crisis moment,” she stated, highlighting the targeting of vulnerable communities for detention and removal. By examining historical precedents, Hernandez aims to provide context for today’s immigration challenges.
Rivera, a professor at Arizona State University and an award-winning filmmaker, echoed Hernandez’s sentiments. He noted that the current political climate is marked by extraordinary violence against immigrant communities, with a disturbing normalization of deportation. Rivera pointed out that even some political voices advocating for change are calling for stricter border control, reflecting a broader societal shift.
Hernandez traced the origins of deportation back to the post-Civil War era, when the first federal deportation laws were enacted. The Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 was one of the earliest examples of race-based deportation legislation, establishing a precedent that would influence immigration control for generations. This law was followed by the Geary Act in 1892, which mandated that all Chinese immigrants register for residency certificates, leading to widespread deportations and civil rights challenges.
Racialized Immigration Policies
As Hernandez elaborated, the exclusionary practices of the 19th century were not isolated. The same period saw the forced relocation of Indigenous peoples and the systemic suppression of African-Americans. She explained that as Anglo-American settlers expanded westward, they implemented policies aimed at displacing non-white populations. This historical context is crucial for understanding the racial dynamics of today’s immigration debates.
Rivera’s film, “Banishment,” draws inspiration from the experiences of Fong You Ting, a Chinese immigrant who challenged deportation laws in the late 19th century. Rivera highlighted that the notion of deportation was once contested and not universally accepted. The legal battles fought by immigrants during this period were pivotal in shaping the modern immigration system and establishing the framework for contemporary deportation practices.
Both experts discussed how the rhetoric surrounding immigration today echoes sentiments from the 19th century. Hernandez noted that the current political discourse is steeped in racialization, similar to historical precedents that targeted specific ethnic groups. Rivera pointed out that 92% of individuals deported in the last century have been people of color, underscoring the systemic nature of racial bias in immigration enforcement.
As part of their discussion, they highlighted the importance of activism and resistance against deportation. Hernandez recounted historical instances where marginalized communities fought back against unjust deportation practices, emphasizing that these struggles laid the groundwork for present-day advocacy and legal challenges. Rivera’s film “The Infiltrators” documents the efforts of undocumented youth to resist deportation, illustrating the courage and creativity inherent in these movements.
Looking Forward
The upcoming event aims to not only educate attendees about the history of deportation but also to inspire action against current immigration policies. Hernandez and Rivera are eager to engage the community in a dialogue about alternatives to the prevailing deportation narrative. They hope to challenge the normalization of deportation and encourage discussions about humane immigration practices.
As the conversation continues to evolve, the insights from experts like Hernandez and Rivera serve as a reminder of the intertwined histories of race, immigration, and policy in the United States. Their work is not only a reflection of the past but also a call to action for a more equitable future.
