Undocumented Immigrants and The American Safety Net

1. Undocumented Immigrants and The American Safety Net Professor Dayna Bowen Matthew University of Colorado Law School October 17, 2012

2. Words Intended to Inspire “Our history tells us that immigration in the American story has always been controversial – associated always with both benefits and costs . . . When these death-bringing European immigrants became Americans by birth, their own response to further immigration was mixed.” Otis L. Graham, “The Unfinished Reform”

3. Words Intended to Inspire “Immigrants’ search for a better life is one of the most basic desires of human beings. Many undocumented workers have walked mile after mile, through the heat of the day and the cold of night. Some have risked their lives in dangerous desert border crossings, or entrusted their lives to the brutal . . . . Fearful, often abused, and exploited.“ President George W. Bush (January 2004)

4. Complex Composition of Undocumented Population

5. Common Group Identity Model Cognitive social psychology theory that offers new tools for realigning falsely competing interests that underlie current health care and immigration law.

6. Common Group Identity Model Three Principles To Direct Health Law and Policy Reform • Principle #1 - Social Categorization is fundamental to human functioning and perception • Principle #2 - Identify the Costs of Social Categorization as pertaining to Undocumented Immigrants

7. Common Group Identity Model Third Principle To Direct Health Law and Policy Reform • Principle #3 – RECATEGORIZATION • Negative attitudes and conduct towards out-group members can be modified • Re-organize in-group membership to reflect common identity • Re-Frame messaging to create “superordinate groups” comprised of wage-earners and their advocates for improved working conditions, reasonable hand retirement benefits, and health policy that emphasizes public health

8. Exceptional Results Women’s Rights Advocates Immigration Rights Advocates