The Climate of Fear Among Immigrants and Agriculturists: The Effects of the Zero Tolerance Policy
Academic Level at Time of Presentation
Senior
Major
Spanish
2nd Student Major
Agriculture Education
List all Project Mentors & Advisor(s)
Elena Picech Reisinger
Presentation Format
Oral Presentation
Abstract/Description
The Zero Tolerance Policy has been a controversial issue in the news recently that has caused many politicians to voice their opinions. Many undocumented immigrants are being deported, detained and arrested while documented immigrants feel unwelcome in the United States and worried their documentation will not be enough to protect them. The political climate surrounding immigrants is very tense in the United States; there is a new fervency about deporting or prosecuting unauthorized immigrants and a belittling of documented immigrants through insults from our nation’s President and strict enforcement of documentation. This study claims that the Zero Tolerance Policy has created a climate of fear amongst immigrants making them question their futures in a nation that is rapidly becoming anti-immigrant. Fear is spreading to farmers as American agriculture is very dependent upon immigrants for its workforce. Undocumented workers could be deported or arrested at any given time and documented workers may no longer desire to work within the United States due to the current political climates which would leave farmers with a limited workforce. The Zero Tolerance Policy has caused an increased risk for farmers that rely upon immigrant workers.
This study will analyze news articles and data resources to define and analyze the Zero Tolerance Policy and its implications for immigrants. Furthermore, I will conduct a survey of documented American farm workers to determine whether there is a climate of fear among immigrants, both documented and undocumented, and analyze the potential impact the Zero Tolerance Policy will have on the Agriculture industry in the United States.
Fall Scholars Week 2018 Event
GLT 400
The Climate of Fear Among Immigrants and Agriculturists: The Effects of the Zero Tolerance Policy
The Zero Tolerance Policy has been a controversial issue in the news recently that has caused many politicians to voice their opinions. Many undocumented immigrants are being deported, detained and arrested while documented immigrants feel unwelcome in the United States and worried their documentation will not be enough to protect them. The political climate surrounding immigrants is very tense in the United States; there is a new fervency about deporting or prosecuting unauthorized immigrants and a belittling of documented immigrants through insults from our nation’s President and strict enforcement of documentation. This study claims that the Zero Tolerance Policy has created a climate of fear amongst immigrants making them question their futures in a nation that is rapidly becoming anti-immigrant. Fear is spreading to farmers as American agriculture is very dependent upon immigrants for its workforce. Undocumented workers could be deported or arrested at any given time and documented workers may no longer desire to work within the United States due to the current political climates which would leave farmers with a limited workforce. The Zero Tolerance Policy has caused an increased risk for farmers that rely upon immigrant workers.
This study will analyze news articles and data resources to define and analyze the Zero Tolerance Policy and its implications for immigrants. Furthermore, I will conduct a survey of documented American farm workers to determine whether there is a climate of fear among immigrants, both documented and undocumented, and analyze the potential impact the Zero Tolerance Policy will have on the Agriculture industry in the United States.