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  The Covid-19 Pandemic and its Effects on Asian Hate and Otherness

  Caroline Bridgers, Parisa Torabi, Isabella Guenther, and Andrea Wiley

  In recent years Asian immigrants have received an increased amount of hate and an increase in cultural appropriation. Since the pandemic there has been a rise in hate crimes targeting Asian Americans causing them to be fearful of things that may happen to them when they leave their homes. Former President Trump’s association of Asians with the Corona Virus has led to feelings of otherness towards the Asian community. It has also become more apparent that Asian culture is being appropriated. This research explores the religious following of Buddhism and how although it has been another way Asians have been othered for years, it is now used as a mainstream aesthetic. Asian immigrants are facing many prejudices and hate crimes based on stereotypes of their cultures and countries of origins yet are actively having their culture appropriated. This research will explore these main questions: How has there been a change in Asian hate since the start of the pandemic? How has cultural appropriation affected Asian otherness? There are many diverse sources including articles, podcasts, academic journals, etc. that dig into these topics to answer the previous questions in depth.

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  Immigration in regard to Economic Labor and Reform

  Will Ross, Maryella McCown, and Dylan Stone

  In the last two presidencies, the United States economy has gone through much development regarding immigration and labor. Many key factors of growth in the economy can be identified pertaining to immigration, such as job fulfillment, innovations, and more productivity. Immigrants arrive in the United States with impressive skills that are needed for many occupations. They also run many of their own businesses and provide food and hospitality services for everyone. A common question that many US citizens wonder is “How do immigrants advantage the United States economy?” By bringing in new skills and ideas that had not been discovered by United States citizens, the United States is provided with the vast majority of their business owners, entrepreneurs, and skilled workers. This research project will respond to the recent effects on America’s economy due to immigration their labor experiences by exploring academic journals, videos, statistical data, news articles, and personal interviews. Different studies have shown the dangers of potential long-effects that can arise from the absence of assistance with these occupancies. Currently, the United States is in great need of labor assistance which immigrants provide an abundance of help in. Due to Covid-19, the economy and job market have drastically changed. Job shortages are increasing, and immigrants strive to take these positions and provide America with efficiency. Unfortunately, it is quite a difficult process for immigrants to find a well-waged job position, as they go through many risks to provide for themselves and/or their family, and prevent them from poverty or violence. So, it is necessary that immigrants are able to find opportunities to have a chance at a more successful and safer life. To sum it up, the United States economy has had several effects from immigration and the labor that it encourages, and this project will explore the factors of these topics.

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  Evaluating Immigration Policy Changes After 9/11

  Edwin Trejo-Rivera and Yama Bobb

  Immigration laws and policies change constantly, but since 9/11, these laws have been modified in specific ways to keep certain people out. The terrorist attacks of September 11th exposed serious weaknesses in the United States' immigration and visa systems. Since this event happened when the U.S was in negotiation with Mexico about bilateral migration, the agreement collapsed almost immediately. Bilateral migration agreements are frameworks for collaboration between origin and destination countries to ensure that host countries will protect migrants from unethical employers, provide them with public services, and make it easier for remittance to be returned. Policies like this have strengthened, making life more safe and comfortable for immigrant families. This study aims to analyze how U.S Immigration laws have developed since 9/11 and how their development further impacts families crossing the American-Mexican border. The immigration policy change is best expressed through the Netflix series, “Immigration Nation”, where it shows the firsthand experience of not only the immigrants but also employees of ICE. Reviewing each episode brought insight into the new revisions to the immigration laws through two opposite sides. From the side of the immigrant families who have struggled with former President Trump’s policy to remove all immigration violators, to the side of ICE that was now containing a higher influx of people than ever imagined.