Conclusion
In this course you have explored a range of topics and themes related to Latin American migration to the United States and, specifically, to Washington, D.C. In Module 1, you learned about the reasons migrants choose to leave their homes and how they are grounded in historical processes and contradict popular narratives about the “American Dream”.
In Module 2, you learned about various aspects of the migration journey, which includes both physical and non-physical aspects. You have heard how after a long and difficult migration journey, many migrants express their surprise at being able to complete it at all.
Finally, in Module 3, you learned about migration to the District in both a historical and present day context. Today, newcomer migrants in D.C. struggle with unstable employment and an impossible housing situation. These challenges complicate the narrative of sanctuary cities, which often paint these cities as safe havens for migrants.
Final Reflection:
The primary aim of this project is that you take your learnings from this course and apply them to your work in or around migrants in your community. Even if you do not work directly with migrants, this course challenges dominant narratives of migration that may have influenced your own perspective of migrants.
As a final reflection, think back on the many narratives you encountered throughout this training and what they revealed about Latin American migration. Then, reflect meaningfully on these final questions:
What are your main takeaways of MigrantVoices D.C.? How has this course changed your understanding of the migration experience?
What will you do now? Going forward, how will your learnings from this course impact your work, especially if you work in and around migrants in D.C.?