Read Joel's poster here.
As a first-time participant, it was an honor to present at the 2023 American Public Health Association (APHA) Annual Meeting and Expo held in Atlanta, Georgia. During the conference, I had the opportunity to engage with fellow public health experts from across the U.S. and around the world. Whether it was a business meeting, a round table discussion, or a presentation on topics such as climate change, Medicaid access expansion, or abortion rights, everyone came together to learn and raise awareness about public health issues they were passionate about. While each presentation held its significance, the most enriching aspect was the personal connections I made.
Initially, navigating the conference was overwhelming, with thousands of individuals roaming the Georgia World Congress Center and hundreds of events happening simultaneously. However, I quickly reminded myself of the purpose that brought me there. I was invited to participate in the conference to deliver my poster presentation titled "Abolish I.C.E. - The Consequences of Immigration Enforcement Among Latinx/e Adolescents," focusing on the importance of family separation and the impact of anti-immigrant rhetoric policies.
Drawing on my experiences as an adolescent separated from my parents, I utilized personal lived experiences to guide my research. I then incorporated existing literature to create a policy brief that concentrated on the effects of immigration enforcement on the mental health of Latine adolescents. Additionally, I highlighted the 287(g) program, illustrating how agreements between state and local law enforcement agencies and ICE enable discrimination, racial profiling, and attacks on immigrant communities. Overall, the message behind my poster presentation was to inspire other professionals and those with legislative influence to advocate for new inclusive immigration policies that humanize immigrants, not criminalize them, such as calling forth the abolition of ICE. I believe that together, we can promote a shift in the focus of immigration enforcement toward a more progressive approach to addressing health disparities rather than exacerbating them.
Lastly, I want to thank Berkeley Public Health, the MCAH Program, the Center of Excellence, and all those who supported me throughout this unforgettable experience. Thanks to your generous support, I am one step closer to achieving my goals and making a meaningful impact in the field of public health.
To everyone reading this, please feel free to reach out and keep in touch by connecting on LinkedIn
