Vision Statement

The purpose of this compendium is to shed light on unalienable rights, that are being denied to racialized migrant minorities who are seeking asylum, and safety in a place they can call home. I have been a fan of L. Frank Baum, the American author since the age of 7. He is best known for the children’s fantasy book, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.

Recently, I found myself using the narrative of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz as an allegorical framing device to understand immigration policies and their impact on the lives and rights of racialized migrants.

The journey down the Yellow Brick road for racialized migrants is a journey filled with dehumanizing conditions, discrimination and a myriad of vulnerable moments. The Poppy Fields lull them (racialized migrants and asylum seekers) into a false sense of newfound purpose, acceptance and joy. However, the seeds of racism, anti-immigrant sentiment, and xenophobia threaten to choke out their hopes and dreams. Standing on guard at Emerald City (which can function as a symbolic representation of the United States and the Dominican Republic) are the vestiges of colonialism and imperialism.

This compendium is designed to examine historical and contemporary immigration issues that stem from restrictionism. The research will offer a comparative analysis of immigration policies in the United States and the Dominican Republic. The impact of these immigration policies on racialized migrants and asylum seekers have had devastating consequences and greatly affected the lives of Haitian migrants.

There exists a clear need for immigration policy reform both here in the United States and the Dominican Republic. By highlighting the need for reform, it is my hope that the systemic issue of racism, oppression can be addressed.

As an activist and Missionary to Haiti and the Dominican Republic, since 2008 I am very concerned both personally and professionally with the marginalization of racialized migrant communities. It is disturbing to witness the implementation of institutional immigration policies that discriminate against racialized migrants and asylum seekers.