Immigration

The Immigration Action Research Team, I-ART, 

Mission of Team:

We focus on the issues arising out of Arizona’s immigration politics.  We work both on and off campus seeking to educate the public and share the stories of immigrants.  We place considerable emphasis on building a more just, humane, and inclusive community.  Because immigration is such a large issue that has effects in many areas of the community our work is diverse and ever changing, and intersects with several other political issues.  Places where we have focused our energy have been education—both for students and the Flagstaff community including immigrants, on issues such as labor rights, SB1070, and HB2281, the banning of Ethnic Studies.  As one of the first established ARTs,

 

History and exciting updates, news:

In the past four years the Immigration ART has worked in the fields and spoken with migrant workers at farms in Yuma, AZ with students from FoodLink ARTs; witnessed the Operation Streamline proceedings at the federal courthouse in Tucson; walked the migrant trails in the Sonoran desert—providing aid to migrants who had gone days without food or water; produced and presented a civic academy to share the myths and facts of immigration with the community; compiled an Immigration Tool-kit for immigrant families in the wake of SB1070; established a blog where students can publish writing and other media; put together a radio program to share the diverse voices and stories of people affected by immigration; published a newsletter showcasing the stories of undocumented laborers as well as local activism; collected clothing and medical supplies provided to No Mas Muertes; held a neighborhood block party; visited the Eloy and Florence Detention Centers; published zines in defense of Ethnic Studies; held large community meetings to educate and mobilize the public; put together public art displays for first Friday Art Walks in Flagstaff, as well as the ARTs symposium.  The I-ART also cosponsored a Human Rights march where ART students had the opportunity to deliver speeches to other activists and community members.

Accomplishments: In the past three years the Immigration ART has produced and presented a civic academy to share the myths and facts of immigration with the community, compiled an Immigration Tool-kit for immigrant families in the wake of SB1070, put together a radio program to share the diverse voices and stories of people affected by immigration, published a newsletter showcasing the stories of undocumented laborers as well as local activism, collected clothing and medical supplies provided to No Mas Muertes, held a neighborhood block party, visited the Eloy and Florence Detention Centers, witnessed the Operation Streamline proceedings, walked the migrant trails in the Sonoran desert- providing aid to those who need it, published zines in defense of Ethnic Studies, held large community meetings to educate and mobilize the public, put together public art displays for first Fridays.  We’ve also made good friends, cried, laughed, and had a fantastic time.

Community Partners: Repeal Coalition, No Más Muertes, MEChA, NAIC

 

Student Work

Change the World’s Beat by Sam Roberts

Facebook Page

For more information, contact:  nau.immigration.art@gmail.com