Documenting the Undocumented: A Participatory Research Policy Approach

Description 

This is a presentation about Participatory Action Writing by Thomas Piñeros Shields, Ph.D. with community partners from Stories Inspiring Movements (SIM)

If citizenship is “the right to have rights” as Hannah Arendt claimed, then undocumented immigrants experience political erasure and marginalization at an existential level. How can we engage in the process of research for knowledge production to reaffirm the dignity and rights of undocumented immigrants? Stories Inspiring Movements (SIM) creates inclusive spaces that foster storytelling, SIM inspires immigrant youth and young adults to overcome immigration status limitations and ignite positive change in their communities. Dr. Piñeros Shields and members of SIM will present their work including ongoing participatory research and writing approach to tell the 20-year history of SIM and their roles in successful campaigns to pass new policies around in-state tuition and education equity, driver’s licenses and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) over the years.