Migratory Persecution & Trump’s WW3
Due to the present and very real tensions many countries arE currently facing in 2020, it should be of no shock that the rate of migration, immigration, and asylum seeking will likely rise if World War 3 really does come to pass.
By Samantha Newport.
green helicopter near big fire - Photo by Chandler Cruttenden on Unsplash
Immigrants, migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers are familiar to many of us due to the great number of conflicts and other political and social shifts the world has experienced. However, societal changes and conflicts are not the only reasons for migration. In fact, many people from various backgrounds and cultures wish to relocate and start a new life from all over the world for a variety of reasons, such as:
To escape persecution based on race, religious beliefs, nationality, or membership of a particular social or political group;
To escape war, conflict, or violence;
To seek refuge after environmental disaster such as fires or floods;
To seek superior healthcare, education, or employment opportunities;
To escape poverty.
(Nuñez et al., 2014).
Migration has led to a great deal of social, political, and racial tensions over the years and have triggered debates on how “foreigners” have impacted Western culture and society, sparking a whole host of prejudicial views and discrimination. ‘British Future’ reported that “Immigration is regarded by the public as the biggest issue facing British society…[but] at heart, [is] tolerant of those who come to its shores” (Boffey, 2013). For many people, leaving their home country is not a choice they’d wish to make if they weren’t otherwise forced into doing, so to protect themselves and their family. Therefore it is important that the country of migration/refuge helps those people to integrate into their culture quickly, peacefully, and safely - and without persecution.
It is important to remember as a society, that for migrants, this process is not thought of as a holiday for them, or to “get” anything or take anything away from the host country. Sadly, some people and groups in certain counties of refuge (such as the U.K and America), can wrongfully assume the intent and motivation of those seeking escape, and can stereotype them based on negative media peddled propaganda and from the social influences of those around them who may have racist or other intolerant views (Esses, 2013). This occurrence is due to a phenomenon called ‘Othering’, where a person or groups of people are viewed and treated as intrinsically different from, and alien to, oneself. This can lead to the wrongful persecution of migrants, immigrants, asylum seekers, and refugees - resulting in xenophobia, prejudice, discrimination, and even hate crimes. A notable example of ‘Othering’ and xenophobia can be seen in America right now under Trumps rule, as demonstrated by the increase in hate crimes against Muslims and by the occurrence of (typically) white civilians using the police as weapons against black people, with seemingly no reason or motive other than that inspired by unfounded hate.
shallow focus photo of person holding Donald Trump signage - Photo by Chris Boese on Unsplash
So what are the differences between Immigrants, Emigrants, Migrants, Refugees, and Asylum Seekers?
People who move location either within national borders or crossing over into another country are called migrants. Migrants typically move to another country to find work or better living conditions.
From the country’s view, those coming inside the country from outside its borders are called immigrants, whilst those leaving are called emigrants.
Migration can happen within a country or outside of a country. Immigration can only happen from one country to another (immigration is when national boarders are crossed).
Immigrants are usually individuals and/or families that leave their country (often by choice) to seek residence in a new country.
(Kelsey, 2019; Koshal, 2011; Lanquist, 2017)
An asylum seeker is a person who has left their home country as a political refugee and is seeking asylum in another (international protection). Not every asylum seeker will ultimately be recognised as a refugee, but every refugee is initially an asylum seeker.
A refugee, is someone who has fled their country and is unable or unwilling to return because of a well-founded fear of being persecuted because of their race, religion, nationality, or membership of a particular social group or political opinion.
(Amnesty International, 2019).
Regardless of the reason for ones move to another country; migrants, immigrants, asylum seekers, and refugees appear to go through the same or similar mental struggles in their pursuit for a new life. Struggles such as sadness, depression, hopelessness, despair, and loneliness (to a greater or lesser extent). They can even develop somatoform disorders (Mosala et al., 2014; Coffey, 2010; Kirmayer, 2011). This is due to them experiencing a whole host of significant losses. These losses can be both physical (such as the loss of a loved one), as well as symbolic (such as the loss of ones homeland, social identity, sense of community, confidence, and status etc.). These different types of losses contribute to the onset of grief-like symptoms known as ‘Migratory Grief’ (Huamei, 2017).
There are four states of grief:
Numbness;
Yearning and searching;
Disorganisation and despair;
Reorganisation.
(Parkes, 1965).
The progression through these four stages of grief can take a while and immigrants etc. can often struggle significantly and become stuck in the second stage. This is because they may (unsurprisingly) find it incredibly difficult to handle the physical and symbolic losses they have experienced and so remain in a prolonged state of mourning for their old life, internalising the unresolved grief and consequently falling into depression (Parkes, 1965).
Identity shifts and mourning varies cross-culturally, so the processes one goes through can vary in its severity and duration – some migrants for example, never face migratory depression (Killikelly et al., 2018). This could be due to any variation of biological, psychological, or social vulnerabilities or protective factors (e.g. Hardiness). Therefore it is hard to predict how long the grieving process may take or how severe symptoms may, or may not, become. Therefore, due to the present and very real tensions many countries are currently facing in 2020 (e.g. Saudi Arabia, the U.S, Israel, and Iran), it should be of no shock that the rate of migration, immigration, and asylum seeking will likely rise if World War 3 really does come to pass.
Thus, it is arguably necessary that in preparation, psychology should further both its qualitative and quantitative research efforts so to develop more reliable and valid measures for migratory grief, as well as develop better ways to monitor symptoms and provide appropriate effective treatment and support. In so doing, prime refuge counties will be better equipped to understand and handle both the immediate and long-term needs of migrants and any mental health problems they may be experiencing or develop. In addition, by expanding the literature in this area, principles and initiatives developed can be utilised and implemented in schools, work forces, and in policy-making so that such industries and corners of society may be armed to manage and integrate vulnerable people seeking a new start. More broadly speaking, as some of the richest and most advanced countries in the world, it is arguably the Wests ethical duty to host those seeking refuge and rehabilitation, as we never know in this current unstable climate, when it will be our turn in the hot-seat.
Humanity wall - Photo by Matteo Paganelli on Unsplash
References
Amnesty International, 2019. What's the difference between a refugee and an asylum seeker? [online]. Amnesty International. [Accessed 7 January 2020]. Available from: https://www.amnesty.org.au/refugee-and-an-asylum-seeker-difference/
Boffey, D., 2013. Immigration is British society's biggest problem, shows survey of public [online]. The Guardian. [Accessed 7 January 2020]. Available from: https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2013/jan/13/immigration-british-society-biggest-problem
Coffey, G. J., Kaplan, I., Sampson, R. C., Tuccia, M. M., 2010. The meaning and mental health consequences of long-term immigration detention for people seeking asylum. Social Science & Medicine. 70(12), 2070-2079. [Accessed 7 January 2020]. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2010.02.042
Esses, V. M., Medianu, S., Lawson, A. S., 2013. Uncertainty, Threat, and the Role of the Media in Promoting the Dehumanization of Immigrants and Refugees. Analyses of Social Issues and Public Policy [online]. https://doi.org/10.1111/josi.12027
Huamei, K., 2017. The Exploration of Migratory Grief, Social Factors and Resolutions [online]. Library & LRC City University of Seattle. [Accessed 7 January 2020]. Available from: http://repository.cityu.edu/handle/20.500.11803/694
Kelsey, R., 2019. Asylum seekers, migrants or refugees: Which word is correct? [online]. BBC News. [Accessed 7 January 2020]. Available from: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/newsbeat-46747502
Killikelly, C., Bauer, S., Maercker, A., 2018. The Assessment of Grief in Refugees and Post-conflict Survivors: A Narrative Review of Etic and Emic Research [online]. NCIB. [Accessed 7 January 2020]. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6204364/
Kirmayer, L. J., Narasiah, L., Munoz, M., Rashid, M., Ryder, A. G., Guzder, J., Hassan, G., Rousseau, C., Pottie, K., 2011. Common mental health problems in immigrants and refugees: general approach in primary care. CMAJ. 183(12), E959-E967. [Accessed 7 January 2020]. Available from: doi: 10.1503/cmaj.090292
Koshal, 2011. Difference Between Immigrants and Migrants [online]. Difference Between. [Accessed 7 January 2020]. Available from: https://www.differencebetween.com/difference-between-immigrants-and-vs-migrants/
Lanquist, L., 2017. What's The Difference Between Immigrants And Refugees? [online]. SELF. [Accessed 7 January 2020]. Available from: https://www.self.com/story/immigrants-and-refugees
Mölsä, M., Punamäki, R.-L., Saarni, S. I., Tiilikainen, M., Kuittinen, S., & Honkasalo, M.-L., 2014. Mental and somatic health and pre- and post-migration factors among older Somali refugees in Finland. Transcultural Psychiatry, 51(4), 499–525. [Accessed 7 January 2020]. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1177/1363461514526630
Nuñez, N., Sanchez, E., Sepehr, J., 2014. Why people migrate: 11 surprising reasons [online]. Global Citizen. [Accessed 7 January 2020]. Available from: https://www.globalcitizen.org/en/content/why-people-migrate-11-surprising-reasons/
Parkes, . M., 1965. Bereavement and mental illness (Part 2): A classification of bereavement reactions. British Journal of Medical Psychology, 33, 13-26