Needs of migrants ignored in North County

By: ARCELA NUNEZ-ALVAREZ - Commentary
NORTH COUNTY TIMES : SAN DIEGO / RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA
December 29. 2007

International Migrants Day, observed on Dec. 18, was forgotten in North County. Aiming to recognize the contribution that millions of migrants make to the economies of their host and home countries, that day rallies everyone across the world who is concerned with the protection and respect for basic human rights.

Globalization and the growing disparities in living conditions within and among nation-states are combining to increase the scale of cross-border migration worldwide. According to the United Nations, an estimated 200 million people are currently living outside their countries of origin. They work far from home and live precariously in between political borders.

Escaping poverty, civil conflict, insecurity or persecution, they contribute to our economy working predominantly in the domestic, industrial, agricultural and service sectors, many earning less than minimum or livable wages. They provide essential services to the economies and societies of the countries they live in while supporting their families and communities back home, where remittances boost the national economy.

Unfortunately, migrants continue to be portrayed as a burden to their host society rather than a global asset. Despite their countless contributions to our economy and community, thousands of migrants in San Diego County are dehumanized instead of thanked for their daily hard work. Migrants are a particularly vulnerable group who see their rights routinely violated, not only as workers, but as human beings.

Women migrants are even more vulnerable to gender-based violence and abuse, often becoming victims of trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation. Migrants commonly face rampant discrimination, xenophobia, substandard and severely overcrowded housing, a paucity of appropriate health information and services, and untenable labor conditions.

Addressing these conditions internationally, nationally and locally continues to be a challenge. Although 37 countries have already ratified the 1990 International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families, it still needs the commitment of governments and individuals to enter into force to bring the protective regime to bear upon the million of migrant workers in different parts of the world.

The coming year represents an opportunity to increase our efforts in the promotion of the rights of migrants and redesign of immigration policies. Through sharing and recognizing the contributions migrants provide in our community we observe human rights and preserve fundamental freedoms.

Arcela Nunez-Alvarez is a resident of San Marcos and interim director of the National Latino Research Center at Cal State San Marcos.

http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2007/12 ... ogcomments