Debating a Community Resource Center
1) This chapter opens with a letter from a resident to Town Council. What metaphors does this resident use to talk about immigrants?
2) Some Jupiter neighbors who opposed the possibility of a labor center put forth the argument that unauthorized day-laborers and terrorists belong in the same category. Is there any evidence to support this argument?
3) This chapter notes the appearance of the group Floridians for Immigration Enforcement (FLIMEN) in Jupiter. Visit www.flimen.org to learn more about the group.
4) What types of things does the JNAIL email (pgs. 85-86) associate immigrants with?
5) Many of the fears and claims about unauthorized immigrants raised in Jupiter reflect what Leo Chavez has called the "Latino Threat Narrative" in his book, The Latino Threat: Constructing Immigrants, Citizens, and the Nation (Stanford University Press, 2008).
7) Listed below are some of the complaints that Jupiter residents brought to the attention of Town Council. For each, consider whether or not you believe this issue is within the purview and power of the local authorities. Explain why or why not each issue is or is not within the scope of municipal authority. When you reflect on each, consider that immigration policy is made and enforced by the federal government, quality of life in neighborhoods, however, is a matter that Town Councils address.
8) Consider the list on pages 79-80 of what supporters of the proposed labor center hoped it could accomplish in Jupiter. Do you think it could address the neighborhood quality of life complaints raised by neighbors in the early stages of the discussion (2001-2003)? What concerns/complaints ARE addressed? Which ones are left out?
9) Why do you think that a Jupiter residency requirement was included in the plans for El Sol?
10) Which groups in the Jupiter community were represented in the coalition that took a favorable stance on the labor center? Which groups were represented in the group that took a negative stance?
11) What further steps did the coalition supporting the labor center have to take after Town Council voted to allow the labor center to exist? How did they overcome these hurdles?
12) What are day-laborers risking by moving from the street to a new labor center? What guarantees could the coalition of support make to the day-laborers?
13) How effective was the labor center in cleaning up the image of Center Street? In other words, how effective was the center in removing the day-laborers from Center Street?
2) Some Jupiter neighbors who opposed the possibility of a labor center put forth the argument that unauthorized day-laborers and terrorists belong in the same category. Is there any evidence to support this argument?
3) This chapter notes the appearance of the group Floridians for Immigration Enforcement (FLIMEN) in Jupiter. Visit www.flimen.org to learn more about the group.
4) What types of things does the JNAIL email (pgs. 85-86) associate immigrants with?
5) Many of the fears and claims about unauthorized immigrants raised in Jupiter reflect what Leo Chavez has called the "Latino Threat Narrative" in his book, The Latino Threat: Constructing Immigrants, Citizens, and the Nation (Stanford University Press, 2008).
- "Fear and Loathing in Prime Time" (Media Matters) is a brief primer on examples of how the "Latino Threat Narrative" is utilized by the media.
- Explore this fact-checking report from the Immigration Policy Center: "Immigrants and Crime: Are They Connected?"
7) Listed below are some of the complaints that Jupiter residents brought to the attention of Town Council. For each, consider whether or not you believe this issue is within the purview and power of the local authorities. Explain why or why not each issue is or is not within the scope of municipal authority. When you reflect on each, consider that immigration policy is made and enforced by the federal government, quality of life in neighborhoods, however, is a matter that Town Councils address.
- “they are undocumented”
- “the crowd of men standing around makes the street unsightly/ dangerous”
- “they are taking American jobs”
- “they don’t speak English”
- “there is too much traffic in the morning”
- “there is a lot of trash left on the street”
- “they are a threat to national security”
- “they are playing loud music/ there is a lot of noise”
- “there are too many people people living in a small house”
- “they are over-using hospital emergency rooms”
- “they are urinating on the street while they wait for work”
- “they are not paying taxes”
8) Consider the list on pages 79-80 of what supporters of the proposed labor center hoped it could accomplish in Jupiter. Do you think it could address the neighborhood quality of life complaints raised by neighbors in the early stages of the discussion (2001-2003)? What concerns/complaints ARE addressed? Which ones are left out?
9) Why do you think that a Jupiter residency requirement was included in the plans for El Sol?
10) Which groups in the Jupiter community were represented in the coalition that took a favorable stance on the labor center? Which groups were represented in the group that took a negative stance?
11) What further steps did the coalition supporting the labor center have to take after Town Council voted to allow the labor center to exist? How did they overcome these hurdles?
12) What are day-laborers risking by moving from the street to a new labor center? What guarantees could the coalition of support make to the day-laborers?
13) How effective was the labor center in cleaning up the image of Center Street? In other words, how effective was the center in removing the day-laborers from Center Street?
