{"id":364,"date":"2025-02-14T12:42:51","date_gmt":"2025-02-14T17:42:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/krieger.jhu.edu\/chloe\/?p=364"},"modified":"2025-02-25T12:43:49","modified_gmt":"2025-02-25T17:43:49","slug":"chloe-center-hosts-panel-on-challenges-for-migrants-from-the-borderlands-to-baltimore","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/krieger.jhu.edu\/chloe\/2025\/02\/14\/chloe-center-hosts-panel-on-challenges-for-migrants-from-the-borderlands-to-baltimore\/","title":{"rendered":"Chloe Center Hosts Panel on Challenges for Migrants \u201cFrom the Borderlands to Baltimore\u201d"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>By <strong>Ga Eun Cho<\/strong> (PhD candidate, Political Science)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Like the marshy banks of the Rio Grande, the ground beneath us is constantly shifting. For migrants to the United States, policies, procedures, and possibilities are uncertain, opaque, and unresolved. This situation can be frightening and demoralizing, but a recent <a href=\"https:\/\/krieger.jhu.edu\/chloe\/event\/from-the-borderlands-to-baltimore-meeting-the-challenges-for-migrants-and-refugees-today\/\">event<\/a> hosted by the Chloe Center for the Critical Study of Racism, Immigration, and Colonialism highlighted how students can become more involved in the fight for justice for migrants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cFrom the Borderlands to Baltimore: Meeting the Challenges for Migrants and Refugees Today,\u201d on February 6, 2025, brought together migration and refugee activists and experts to share their experiences on the challenges at the U.S.-Mexico border and Baltimore alike.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The panel featured three experts working on the ground with migrants and refugees:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Susana Gastelum<\/strong>,&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fsamufirstresponse.org%2F&amp;data=05%7C02%7Cstuart.schrader%40jhu.edu%7C514de05350914edc0f6e08dd363d303c%7C9fa4f438b1e6473b803f86f8aedf0dec%7C0%7C0%7C638726358639073398%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=XcHYfFIXl90bTlIF7SurNIcVOecIC%2FoeAuCTsBsCcPY%3D&amp;reserved=0\">SAMU First Response<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Yaneldis Boullon<\/strong>,&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcc-md.org%2Fprograms%2Fesperanza-center%2Fcentro-esperanza%2F&amp;data=05%7C02%7Cstuart.schrader%40jhu.edu%7C514de05350914edc0f6e08dd363d303c%7C9fa4f438b1e6473b803f86f8aedf0dec%7C0%7C0%7C638726358639093716%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=FomuhvnHHeB4wedilCj2Zs%2FSEqkig1i2ZJrkq5XEzIc%3D&amp;reserved=0\">Esperanza Center Health Services<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Fatmata Barrie<\/strong>,&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.barrielawcenter.com%2F&amp;data=05%7C02%7Cstuart.schrader%40jhu.edu%7C514de05350914edc0f6e08dd363d303c%7C9fa4f438b1e6473b803f86f8aedf0dec%7C0%7C0%7C638726358639109720%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=ebK8z3mH1NFn7qeXdxJ3xNC2BDfdFwZGRnnzc6QS%2FSo%3D&amp;reserved=0\">Barrie Law Center<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Prof. Julian Lim<\/strong> (History\/Chloe Center) and undergraduate <strong>Christopher Amanat<\/strong> (CDS \u201928) moderated the panel. Amanat, who worked with the Chloe Center to envision the discussion, opened the panel with reflections on what it means to be \u201chuman\u201d in contemporary U.S. society and how the treatment of migrants that he experienced while volunteering at the U.S.-Mexico border in Arizona was profoundly dehumanizing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"545\" src=\"https:\/\/krieger.jhu.edu\/chloe\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/98\/2025\/02\/borderlands-2-1024x545.jpg\" alt=\"Photo of speakers, four women and one young man, sitting in a row at front of auditorium\" class=\"wp-image-365\" srcset=\"https:\/\/krieger.jhu.edu\/chloe\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/98\/2025\/02\/borderlands-2-1024x545.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/krieger.jhu.edu\/chloe\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/98\/2025\/02\/borderlands-2-300x160.jpg 300w, https:\/\/krieger.jhu.edu\/chloe\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/98\/2025\/02\/borderlands-2-768x408.jpg 768w, https:\/\/krieger.jhu.edu\/chloe\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/98\/2025\/02\/borderlands-2-1536x817.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/krieger.jhu.edu\/chloe\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/98\/2025\/02\/borderlands-2-2048x1089.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/krieger.jhu.edu\/chloe\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/98\/2025\/02\/borderlands-2-240x128.jpg 240w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">(l-r) Fatmata Barrie, Yaneldis Boullon, Susana Gastelum, Christopher Amanat, Julian Lim<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>During the discussion, the panelists shared their experiences working with migrants and refugees, their thoughts on the impact of the current administration on their work, the diversity of the migrant population, and the importance of building connections and solidarity among different migrant communities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Throughout the panel, the speakers underscored the urgent and diverse needs of migrants. Gastelum, who works in Arizona, described the immediate support migrants need upon their arrival, such as food or medical care. She stressed the importance helping migrants reframe their understanding of their status. \u201cThe first thing they need to learn is that they are not illegal\u2014they are asylum seekers,\u201d she emphasized. \u201cHow you see yourself matters to how others see you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Sharing her experience in Baltimore, Boullon highlighted the importance of information and networks between migrants, noting that many of her clients, despite being new to the country \u201calready knew about us\u2014they come looking for us,\u201d when they seek out services at Baltimore\u2019s Esperanza Center.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Barrie also pointed to the commonalities different migrant communities share despite their diverse backgrounds, observing that \u201csomehow or another, connections are being made.\u201d She also emphasized that many of the challenges migrants face are similar across different groups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>On the increasing diversity of migrant population at the border, Gastelum also reflected, \u201cSince joining SAMU, I\u2019ve started working with everyone from every corner of the world.\u201d She highlighted how social media platforms like TikTok have played an unexpected role in helping \u201cpeople realize they can be free, motivating them to run from difficult situations and figure out what\u2019s next.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A lively Q&amp;A with the audience followed the discussion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"853\" src=\"https:\/\/krieger.jhu.edu\/chloe\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/98\/2025\/02\/Borderland-Photo-2-1024x853.jpg\" alt=\"Speakers smiling after panel\" class=\"wp-image-367\" srcset=\"https:\/\/krieger.jhu.edu\/chloe\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/98\/2025\/02\/Borderland-Photo-2-1024x853.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/krieger.jhu.edu\/chloe\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/98\/2025\/02\/Borderland-Photo-2-300x250.jpg 300w, https:\/\/krieger.jhu.edu\/chloe\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/98\/2025\/02\/Borderland-Photo-2-768x639.jpg 768w, https:\/\/krieger.jhu.edu\/chloe\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/98\/2025\/02\/Borderland-Photo-2-1536x1279.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/krieger.jhu.edu\/chloe\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/98\/2025\/02\/Borderland-Photo-2-2048x1705.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/krieger.jhu.edu\/chloe\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/98\/2025\/02\/Borderland-Photo-2-240x200.jpg 240w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">(l-r)  Christopher Amanat, Fatmata Barrie, Yaneldis Boullon, Susana Gastelum, Stuart Schrader, Julian Lim<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>When asked about support for queer and trans* migrants, Gastelum emphasized the need for empathy. \u201cThe shelter has to be the first safe place for someone, to feel secure and be the person they want to be,\u201d she explained.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The panel concluded with a discussion on how students and the public can support migrants and refugees. Barrie encouraged students to \u201ceducate yourself and your peers who might need that information.\u201d Boullon urged attendees to \u201cadvocate, go there, and have difficult conversations. Volunteer\u2014anything makes a difference.\u201d Gastelum added, \u201cUse every platform and opportunity to share what you think about immigrants.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The discussion was followed by a reception to celebrate the Spring 2025 launch of the Critical Diaspora Studies major. <strong>Prof.<\/strong> <strong>Stuart Schrader<\/strong>, director of the Chloe Center, reflected on the importance of collective action in responding to pressing contemporary issues. \u201cOur small center alone cannot be a bulwark against what is coming, but the collective action that we model here is the only tool to protect our institutions and the most vulnerable among us,\u201d he stated. Critical Diaspora Studies, he pointed out, is one such collective project, representing student and faculty collaboration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>An audience member, <strong>Miriam Medina<\/strong> (Political Science\/Psychology \u201926), reflected, \u201cIt was empowering to hear from professionals instead of politicians on issues of migration,\u201d and that she was happy that \u201cHopkins is providing opportunities to learn more about the issue.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This panel was the first major event of the Spring 2025 semester for the Chloe Center, and it was co-sponsored by JHU&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/studentaffairs.jhu.edu\/socialconcern\/\">Center for Social Concern<\/a> and Program in <a href=\"https:\/\/krieger.jhu.edu\/laclxs\/\">Latin American, Caribbean, and Latinx Studies<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>See also <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jhunewsletter.com\/article\/2025\/02\/hopkins-launches-critical-diaspora-studies-major-with-from-the-borderlands-to-baltimore-event\">this article<\/a> about the event in the <\/em>JHU News-Letter<em>.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>\u201cFrom the Borderlands to Baltimore: Meeting the Challenges for Migrants and Refugees Today,\u201d on February 6, 2025, brought together migration and refugee activists and experts to share their experiences on the challenges at the U.S.-Mexico border and Baltimore alike.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":754,"featured_media":369,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_tec_requires_first_save":true,"_EventAllDay":false,"_EventTimezone":"","_EventStartDate":"","_EventEndDate":"","_EventStartDateUTC":"","_EventEndDateUTC":"","_EventShowMap":false,"_EventShowMapLink":false,"_EventURL":"","_EventCost":"","_EventCostDescription":"","_EventCurrencySymbol":"","_EventCurrencyCode":"","_EventCurrencyPosition":"","_EventDateTimeSeparator":"","_EventTimeRangeSeparator":"","_EventOrganizerID":[],"_EventVenueID":[],"_OrganizerEmail":"","_OrganizerPhone":"","_OrganizerWebsite":"","_VenueAddress":"","_VenueCity":"","_VenueCountry":"","_VenueProvince":"","_VenueState":"","_VenueZip":"","_VenuePhone":"","_VenueURL":"","_VenueStateProvince":"","_VenueLat":"","_VenueLng":"","_VenueShowMap":false,"_VenueShowMapLink":false,"_tribe_blocks_recurrence_rules":"","_tribe_blocks_recurrence_description":"","_tribe_blocks_recurrence_exclusions":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[26,36,42],"class_list":["post-364","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-events","tag-anti-racism","tag-journalism"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/krieger.jhu.edu\/chloe\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/364","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/krieger.jhu.edu\/chloe\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/krieger.jhu.edu\/chloe\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/krieger.jhu.edu\/chloe\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/754"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/krieger.jhu.edu\/chloe\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=364"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/krieger.jhu.edu\/chloe\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/364\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":406,"href":"https:\/\/krieger.jhu.edu\/chloe\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/364\/revisions\/406"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/krieger.jhu.edu\/chloe\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/369"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/krieger.jhu.edu\/chloe\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=364"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/krieger.jhu.edu\/chloe\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=364"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/krieger.jhu.edu\/chloe\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=364"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}