Immigrant Susceptibility to Virus in Detention Centers
Greg MD
Ivy Tech Community College
Dear Professor Price,
Thank you for the helpful feedback, as always, which I can apply to my current paper and future awareness. My primary motivation or purpose for writing this draft is to shed light on our current pandemic within the U.S and abroad. My question was the following: How susceptible have immigrants been to viruses within the detention centers? In the last few years, there have been outbreaks of a variety of diseases which concerned the Center of Disease Control (CDC). My intended audience is Professor Price, fellow peers, and the specific target audience would be The Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials’ agency who can make changes in policy to enhance the quality of living situations for migrants. I had to look deeper or past the government audience who can make significant changes within the detentions centers to revise my rough draft per Professor Price. The other adjustment to make was to the title, using flush-left alignment, not center. Avoid using exclamation marks in academic writing. One of my peers response looks as if they are summarizing my statement. The other peer answered all of the questions: one was that all sources were from Ivy Tech library with relevant information about the pandemic we are experiencing now. He wasn’t sure if my sources were properly cited. He stated my information and idea was informative and there was plenty of research. What was surprising to my peer, he never thought about how viruses affect other people who are not living in detention facilities.
The problem or challenge that I ran into is that there is very little about the COVID-19 because this is so recent. I had to look at other diseases or outbreaks from the past few years, which can help my argument. I was able to find evidence of other outbreaks that relates to the current pandemic worldwide.
The lesson I have learned is that research will lead you back to your topic question, giving supporting evidence. The two questions I had asked were: 1). How susceptible are immigrants to the viruses in the detention centers? 2). Have immigrants’ human rights been violated or ignored while being detained? Doing research can generate more questions to answer that helps me inform my audience so they can form an unbiased opinion. I appreciate your time in reading my annotated bibliography.
Sincerely,
Greg MD
Research Rationale
This research identifies and explains the relevance of the topic viruses within detention centers. The issue people are experiencing within the U.S. is a national health crisis and a pandemic abroad. Before the pandemic outbreak, the most significant controversy was the immigration issue with our current President’s administration. One of many issues was the Wall on the southern border and immigrants seeking asylum within the U.S. This has been very tumultuous within U.S. political parties because Trump’s administration is not willing to make changes in modern times. The relationship between”Trump’s Wall of Compassion” and viral contagion has everything to do with immigration and the detention centers.
The current administration is showing signs of the inability to handle circumstances with the U.S. health crisis. Still, as the world fights this pandemic, the U.S. has these detention centers filled with men, women, and children who are exposed to Corona virus and or many other diseases. The concern is how to keep the immigrants safe. The doctors recommend restricting the public to no more than ten people in a gathering. The potential audience is the director of ICE detention centers readers who are examining what the U.S. could have done better concerning our current situation. Learning from each other is critical to help knowledge keep expanding and evolving into new directions. The hope for this research is exposing the treatment of refugees and how they are susceptible to this pandemic. How susceptible are immigrants’ to the viruses in the detention centers? Have immigrants’ human rights been violated or ignored while being detained?
Annotated Bibliography
Brimmer, E. (Director). (2020). NAFSA Special COVID-19 Update [Video]. NAFSA. Retrieved on April 7, 2020 from https://www.nafsa.org/regulatory-information/coronavirus-critical-resources
The Writer: Brimmer current position as CEO and Executive Director with Nation Association of Foreign Student Advisory (NAFSA). Her former position was Assistant Secretary of State with International Organization Affairs was appointed by President Barack Obama. Her education credential at Pomona College, she earned a Bachelor of Science (BA), in International Relations. She continues her education at New College, Oxford, UK, where she earned her M.A. and D Phil in International Relations.
The Publication: Brimmer discussed on video the special COVID-19 update with fellow NAFSA and International educators as the impact will affect the students’ education.
The Summary: To our international students and educator there are uncertainties with these times because of this pandemic which will affect our organizations and could result in future changes. As of March 12, 2020, Brimmer reaffirms NAFSA top priorities are to follow the guidelines that are set by local, state and federal and the international laws are adhering too.
The Stance: Brimmer position is to keep their students, educators and many others who are involved within NASFA safe and healthy.
The Use: This can be used in relationship to help arguing my topic how effective and communication can be within an organization on an international level. Most important are the students, educators and staff to protect their safety and health but be able to display leadership and a sense of calmness.
Cleek, H., (2018), Sanctuary clinics: Using the patient-physician relationship to discuss immigration policy as a public health concern. Wake Forest Law Review. 2018, Vol. 53 Issue 5, pp. 979-1004. 26p. ISSN 0043-003X. Access Date March 27th, 2020.
The Writer: The credential for Cleek is holding the position of research assistant with Wake Forest University School of Law since February 2017. Her educational background from Wake Forest University School of Law 2016 – 2019 she, a Juris Doctor (J.D.). From Davidson College, Cleek earned a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in psychology from 2012 to 2016.
The Publication: She seems to have an array background in law. The academic source was found though Ivy Tech Library as an article. Wake Forest Law Review is an academic journal with a high standard of accuracy.
The Summary: Cleek (2018) is concerned about public health and undocumented immigrants. The relationship between the Trump administration and state and local policy brings concerns that immigrants will not seek health care for fear of deportation. The affect of this article about health and welfare for immigrants’ tensions are high.
The Stance: Cleek addressing the issues about the concern for the public health being protected as well as immigrants.
The Use: The relationship between my topic and this article present health issues. Sheltering immigrants together as large groups is a violation of CDC policy and the Trump administration is unlikely to protect migrants from exposures to contagious diseases.
“Coronavirus Critical Resources.” NAFSA, (12 March 2020). Retrieved April 7, 2020, from www.nafsa.org/regulatory-information/coronavirus-critical-resources.
The Writer: A Nation Association of Foreign Student Adversary (NAFSA). The website seems to have a collaborative of authors from within their organization that writes articles. From there Mission, Vision and Value statement it’s significant to convey their direction NAFSA promoting.
The Publication: The website copyright 1998 to 2020 which have current information. NAFSA facilitate international exchange student and scholars from over 150 countries that are continuing their education abroad. According to NAFSA (2020) “Global learning leads to a more engaged and welcoming United States, more responsive and participatory government, and a more secure and peaceful world.”
Summary: NAFSA embrace and foresting immigration exchange programs. They seem to build bridges by diversity with a mixture of cultures for a diplomatic world.
The Stance: The organization seems to forester bonding with educators and international students and scholars. The important are having those bridges
The Use: The use of NAFSA in how they promote diversity can build a relationship in how critical this is to my topic.
ICE Guidance on COVID-19., (2020 March 15). U.S. Immigration and Custom Enforcement., Retrieved April 6, 2020, from https://www.ice.gov/coronavirus
The Writer: They are corp. authors within the U.S. Immigration and Custom Enforcement (ICE) to establish new policy.
The Publication: The website https://www.ice.gov/coronavirus is the publication. It’s not clear how they review for accuracy.
Summary: The website ICE gives public information relevant to COVID-19 statement. The notice for ICE guidance on COVID-19 overview includes confirm cases and previous statement. There are several tabs starting with introduction, general and many others to information the public of any or all changes for outbreak in the detention centers.
The Stance: ICE mission or vital role is to enforce the U.S. immigration laws. The agency is to protect our U.S. borders to prevent dangerous threats to our National Security.
The Use: The information is critical to help my argument. This would help me to identify current cases however these changes are needed to protect the immigrants’ and their health.
Khullar, D, & Chokshi, D.A., (2019). Challenges for immigrant health in the USA-the road to crisis. The Lancet. May 25, 2019, Vol. 393 Issue 10186, 2168, ISSN 0140-6736, Year 2019.Access Dates March 26th, 2020.
The Writer: Khullar is an M.D. Physician at Presbyterian Hospital in New York. He is an assistant professor at Weill Cornell Department Policy and Research. His education was at Harvard Kennedy School of Government, where he earned a Master’s Degree in Public Policy (2012-2014). He also studied at Yale University, becoming a Doctor of Medicine (M.D.), (2014-2019), and has a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology, (2005-2009),
The Publication: The Newspaper article was in Washington Post (2019). NY Times (2018).
The Writer: Dave MD., MSc, according to LinkedIn his current position at (2016 Sept) Chief Population Health Officer. Education (2009-2012) Harvard Medical School. (2005-2009) University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine MD. (2003-2005) University of Oxford MSc. Global Public Health, Comparative Health Policy. (1999-2003) Duke University BA, Chemistry, Public Policy, Biology.
The Stance: His specific audience would be other medical doctors or related professional.
The Summary: The challenge the US faces is medical care for the migrants. This is an opportunity for D.C. to revisit their policy by improving a health care program. The position he is taking according to his article that the US is facing a health crisis and in dire need to address these issues concerning medical care in the detention centers.
The Use: Dr. Khullar has pointed out valid issues related to our overall health and immigration that can relate to my topic.
Leung, J. & Elson, D. & Cloud, B. & McMurray, D. & McNall, R. & Hickman, C. & Marlow, M., (2019). 1617. Mumps in Detention Facilities that House Detained Migrants-United States, (2018 September-2019 April). Open Forum Infectious Diseases; 2019 Supplement, Vol. 6, pS589-S590, 2p. ISSN 23288957. (Accession Number: 139395694). Publication (2019). Access Date, March 26th, 2020.
The Writer: From the background research of Leung, Master of Public Health (M.P.H) with the Center for Disease Control (CDC) as her credentials. From my research it looks as if she is a team leader for research of outbreak of diseases. “She’s an epidemiologist specializing in viral diseases at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).” (Health day 2019). There are many articles referencing Leung on outbreak in detention centers with mumps and other communicative diseases.
The Publication: The website is US News, Web MD, physician briefing (Mundell 2019 Aug. 29th). I went to the Center of Disease Control (CDC) website to search by name and there were 135 results returned under her name. The research shows confidence and credible sources in her background.
The Stance: Her audience would be professionals in the medical industry, academic reader or other government agencies.
The Summary: To summarize her investigation of outbreak of diseases, one being mumps 2018 September-2019 April in an adult detention facility. The concern she had was migrant living quarters are confined and close causing an outbreak to other detainees. Her suggestion was there needing to be an intervention within the detention facilities to minimize future infectious diseases. The tone in her article states that the outbreak is costly and need to be controlled.
The Use: My plan to use this article is critical to my topic. This can support my argument on my position with viruses and other diseases can turn into a pandemic quickly.
Long, Colleen “Homeland Security watchdog slams conditions at ICE detention facilities.” (June 6, 2019), Retrieved April 8, 2020, from https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/homeland-security-watchdog-slams-conditions-at-ice-detention-facilities
The Writer: Long, worked history with Associated Press (AP) for more than fifteen years. She graduated from the University of Richmond with a degree in Journalism and English.
The Publication: The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) oversees the department ICE. According to a John v. Kelly who is an Acting Inspector General from the DHS had issues a letter addressing their concerns about the conditions of four detention centers.
Summary: This letter addresses major concern in four faculties that holds immigrants. In the letter describing the situation deplorable living conditions can cause for an outbreak which can contribute to health risk, according to Long, (2019) “Trump administration is managing a worsening problem at the U.S.-Mexico border, with dramatic increase in the number of Central American migrants.” With the current pandemic can add more to a stressful environment.
The Stance: DHS is enforcing the standards and compliance within ICE detention centers to adhere to the treatment and care for the facilities.
The Use: The concern addressing ICE is a big part of human rights are being violated or ignored. Both topics establish a strong relationship that can support the argument.
Messing, A. J., & Fabi, R. E., & Rosen, J. D., (2020), Reproductive Injustice at the US Border., American Journal of Public Health., Mar 2020, Vol., 110 Issue3, p339-344., 6p, Access date March 27th, 2020.
The Writer: The author credentials for Messing, BA., PhD. Bioethics and Health Policy, John Hopkins University, Baltimore MD., PhD Student 5th year, Philosophy University of Pennsylvania.
The Writer: Fabi, PhD. (2018) PhD. – Health Policy and Management, John Hopkin University, School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD., (2011) BA, Political Science, Yale University, New Haven, CT.
The Writer: Rosen, MA – Senior Lecturer at John Hopkins University., Education (1986) JD University of Toronto., (1983) MA University of Toronto.
The Publication: Articles written (2017) Finding Strength in Numbers. (2012) The Public Health Risk of Crisis Pregnancy Center. Messing, A.J., & Fabi, R.E., & Rosen, J.D., article American Public Health Association (2020 Feb05).
The Summary: The injustice of treatment within the detention centers for children and pregnant women immigrants at the US border. The call for policy change from health colleagues is critical to protect the children and pregnant women.
The Stance: The author’s position on this article is calling for change in policies in the treatment of immigrants. According to Messing, Fabi & Rosen they mention to support Senator Murray’s bill.
The Use: I see the significance between the article and my topic that could be a good argument point about their Human rights being infringed upon.
Montoya-Galvez, C. (Ed.). (2020, April 3). “Don’t let us die”: Women in ICE custody plead for release amid coronavirus pandemic. Retrieved April 7, 2020, from https://www.cbsnews.com/news/coronavirus-women-ice-custody-louisiana-release-covid-19/?fbclid=IwAR3EPJD8uIUG4_ZIl4K1sZbcrhvSUm5qCJSD5tmVctyve0Z6Co_-HJ2kRPw
The Writer: His work experience is Immigration Reporter at CBS News October 2018 to present. Position Investigative unit producer, assignment desk editor, news intern NBC Telemundo, From August 2016 to August 2018. His education at Rutgers University in Bachelor’s Degree, Journalism and Media Studies/Spanish, Summa cum laude from 2015 to 2018. SC & I, Scholarship awardees.
The Publication: These immigrant women talked about the fear of dying while they are in the detention centers. They talk about how anxiety and fear are much higher because they have no choice in social distancing, however there cries for release are critical with this pandemic.
Summary: This article is shows many immigrant women having deadly concerns about being in the detention center since the U.S is in a pandemic. Most of these immigrants may make it out before something happens to their health.
The Stance: Montoya-Galvez covers a lot of stories of immigrants, and there issues and controversy surrounding them seeking asylum.
The Use: The article on CBS is critical to help support the argument of the question was stated earlier, are the immigrant rights being violated or ignored.
Sunderji, A. & Mena, K. N. & Winickoff, J. & Melinek, J. & Sharfstein, J., (2020 Apr). Influenza Vaccination and Migration at the US Southern Border. American Journal of Public Health (AM J PUBLIC HEALTH), Apr2020; 110(4): 466-467. (2p). Academic Article, Access Date: March 26th, 2020 (Accession No. 142188582).
The Writer: Sunderji, MD., is a Pediatric Emergency Physician at The John Hopkins Hospital at Baltimore, MD. And Board Certifications from Royal College of Physicians & Surgeon of Canada/ Pediatrics (2018). According to hopkinmedicine.org. Her educational background at Johns Hopkin Bloomberg School of Public Health Master of Public Health – MPH (2019-2020). University of Toronto MD, Medicine (2010 – 2014). McMaster University BASc, Arts & Science (2006 – 2010). University of Toronto Pediatric Medicine, According to linkedin.com/in/alia-sunderji-6926a519/. From the research Dr. Sunderji seems to have credible credentials.
The Writer: Mena, education (2019-2021) John Hopkins the Scholar- MPH/MBA Student., Sommer at Bloomberg School of Public Health Master.
The Writer: Winickoff, MD,MPH, education at Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center, Boston Children Hospital, Harvard Medical School, (2000-2021) MA State Medical License, American Board of Pediatrics- Pediatrics,
The Summary: There has been several children age range from 2 to 16 years of age that had died within the last year (2019) that were in the custody of Customs and Border Protection (CBP). They were given a vaccination shot for the influenza. All three children tested positive for influenza A in the detention facility. The result of immunize the children policy needs to change to improve the conditions for a better outcome.
The Stance: Dr. Sunderji position is not to continue vaccination of the influenza at the US southern border.
The Use: This article is very useful to my topic about immigrants being confined with the current pandemic within the US and abroad of the coronavirus-19 as well to other health concerns. Close confinement certainly has a negative benefit with many people being together.
Topic Exploration Statement
To clarify my topic after my investigation has opened many other questions. In the last few months, other countries are being attacked by a corona virus (COVID-19). According to the NAFSA website; this virus is a “Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV).” (2020) as of today mid March 2020, the CDC has recommended all citizens to stay home because of the massive outbreak. The media began covering stories regarding Coronavirus daily with the outbreak rapidly moving throughout communities. There are daily briefings from the CDC, Trump administration, and local governments.
The initial thought was to research this current virus. What has changed after my research is that there are many outbreaks of other communicable diseases that most of the public are not aware of which are spreading in the detention centers among immigrants. A few examples of the communicable diseases that are spreading are: Mumps, Influenza A and B, HIV/AIDS just within the last few years. According to Sunderji et al. (2020) an outbreak of influenza and a concern there are a “serious risk” in “closed communities at the U.S. Southern Border.”
The interpretation or controversies with this pandemic is a concern among the detention centers that detain immigrants. Many doctors have a concern about the potential spread of illness within these facilities which are breeding ground for disease. A year ago, there was an outbreak of mumps; “…data were collected by health departments and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Health Services Corps and reported to CDC.” Leung et al (2019). There is a significant separation of families at the borders. According to Khullar & Chokshi (2019), “…Trump administration zero-tolerance policy…” and the professionals, all are expressing their concerns about the neglect. According to Messing, Fabi & Rosen (2020 p.339), “…mistreatment of children and pregnant immigrant…” this seems to violate their rights. The Homeland Security Department (HSD) oversees ICE that outlined reports of spoiled food, musty and neglected restrooms at immigration facilities that could have violated detainees’ rights. (Long 2019) This poses a health risk for some immigrants’ women that are pregnant mothers to be. It can represent an unparalleled important risk of exposure to maternal and fetal health. (Messing, Fabi & Rosen 2020) Analyzing further research on human rights, and the law, there are areas that can be elaborated on.
The sources that contribute to the research can differ in what area I am speaking about—topics such as health, viruses, and immigration. To sum up, overall, based on my research, there is a significant concern regarding the medical policies for immigrants. There seems to be a violation of their human rights, such as the separation of children from a parent. After examining the evidence the position I take is we can do better in the treatment of immigrants looking at a different approach in these facilities or how we temporarily house them. How can we improve health care at the border among children and be able to keep their family unit together?
Written by: Greg MD
Greg MD Blog 
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