Occupational Therapy - 2015

15 for occupational justice, and for a better tomorrow for all who are living here. References ABC News/Washington Post. (2013). Do you support or oppose stricter border control to try to reduce illegal immigration? [Online poll]. Retrieved from http://www.washingtonpost . com/politics/polling/immigration-stricter- support-control/2013/04/03/b72dd8f8-9c4b- 11e2-9219-51eb8387e8f1_page.html Abrego, L. J., & Gonzales, R. G. (2010). Blocked paths, uncertain futures: The postsecondary education and labor market prospects of un documented Latino youth. Journal of Education for Students Placed at Risk, 15(1-2), 144-157. American Immigration Council. (2015, July 8). The criminalization of immigration in the United States. Retrieved from http://www.im migrationpolicy.org/special-reports/criminal ization-immigration-united-states Backman, C. (2010). Occupational balance and well- being. In C. H. Christiansen & E. A. Townsend (Eds.), Introduction to occupation: The art and science of living (2nd ed., pp. 231-249). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson. Bailliard, A. (2013). Laying low: Fear and injustice for Latino migrants to Smalltown, USA. Journal of Occupational Science, 20(4), 342-356. Baker, B., & Rytina, N. (2013). Estimates of the unau thorized immigrant population residing in the United States: January 2012. Department of Homeland Security, Office of Immigra tion Statistics. Retrieved from http://www. dhs.gov/sites/default/files /publications/ois_ill_ pe_2012_2.pdf Barreto, M. A., Segura, G. M., & Manzano, S. (2012). The impact of media stereotypes on opinions and attitudes towards Latinos. Latino Deci sions and the National Hispanic Media Coalition. Retrieved from http://www.nhmc. org/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/ LD_NHMC_Poll_Results_Sept.2012.pdf Basu, M. (2014, June 19). Daniel’s journey: How thousands of children are creating a crisis in America. CNN. Retrieved from http://www. cnn.com/2014/06/13/us/immigration-undocu- OCCUPATION: A Medium of Inquiry for Students, Faculty & Other Practitioners Advocating for Health through Occupational Studies November 2015, Volume 1, Number 1 The future of the implementation and impact of the expansion of DACA remains uncertain, as 26 states have mounted legal challenges seeking to block it (Du- ara & Hennessy-Fiske, 2015). If allowed to move for- ward, these expanded protections will provide immi- grants with neither permanent residency nor a path to citizenship, and instead will serve only as a temporary fix util Congress reforms the nation’s immigration sys- tem. However, the relief provided by these protections would offer millions of unauthorized immigrant youth and adults a chance to improve their lives through in- creased participation in employment and higher edu- cation, and through meaningful engagement within their communities without the constant fear of being discovered and deported. Conclusion Millions of unauthorized immigrants living in the United States face very real barriers that prevent them from full participation in meaningful occupations. Le- gal policies, a lack of transportation, financial hurdles, cultural and linguistic differences, fear, and discrimi- nation are just a few of the untold challenges that these individuals face on a daily basis. Instead of finding themselves living the “American Dream,” many unau- thorized immigrants have found themselves living in despair. Although our current social, economic, and political institutions have resulted in the marginal- ization and dehumanization of many unauthorized immigrants (Provine & Doty, 2011; Vargas, 2012), the passing of the DREAM Act and/or other legislation providing a pathway toward legal status has the poten- tial to re-humanize these individuals and help them to lead more healthy and fulfilling lives. Immigrants come to the United States hoping to assimilate and be productive, contributing members of society. Legisla- tion that would expand access to opportunities and resources for unauthorized immigrants, and in doing so, would also improve their living conditions and eliminate the occupational deprivation that they face, should not be viewed as a partisan issue, but as an issue of occupational justice. With knowledge of the barriers and the decreased health, wellness, and qual- ity of life that immigrants face, comes the responsibil- ity to educate the public and advocate for immigration reform. The potential to improve the lives of millions of immigrants both today and for generations to come is in our hands; let us fight for the American Dream,