Immigrants for Sale SOC 5 PDF

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Essay over immigrants...

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SOC 203-303 Assignment 5 Immigrants for Sale My reaction to this film is on the fence. I realize that illegal immigrants are mistreated in private prisons, and that illegal immigration is a big issue in the United States. On the other hand, I believe that illegal immigrants should go through the citizenship process to become legal and avoid being put into detainment. Main themes in this film included: mistreatment of prisoners, politicians earning profit from private prisons, and placing detainment facilities where they are unwelcome. Three points that I found the most interesting in the film include: The “1%” controlling these facilities, mentally ill immigrants being detained, and the living situations of prisoners. First, the small fraction of rich people controls the private prisons. These prisons are placed in areas that are remote are operated in the shadows of society. The workers who stand up to the CCA and GEO against their morals get fired and cannot get a job anywhere else because it is on their record. According to the film, the CCA and GEO are also the largest private prison corporations, being an industry with an annual revenue of $5 billion. This does not benefit the citizens of these towns. Instead it plummets the remote towns into poverty, even shutting down hospitals. Also, the corporations don’t take the measures to identify mentally incompetent immigrants. One facility imprisoned a mentally ill man and would not inform his family of where

he was located. In one incident the guards wouldn’t let him go to the restroom and instead beat him until he had to be hospitalized. This is immoral even if it is “legal”. Finally, the living situations of these prisoners are inhumane. The prisons are not caring towards the health of these individuals. According to the film you have to almost be dying to receive medical attention. The corporations don’t even provide a life sustaining diet for diabetic people, even feeding prisoners expired meats. In some facilities prisoners are pitted towards each other to engage in confrontations. This is almost like underground fighting. Prisoners are even punished for not knowing how to speak English. For example, in one situation a woman was beat for being unable to read her I.D. card. This film informs my understanding of the issue of immigration. It has shown me how corrupt the facilities are that house illegal immigrants. It also brings to light how money is made through this process. I believe certain changes need to be made to correct this issue. One being the way these corporations are ran and getting eligible immigrants into the United States the legal way. DACA is an organization that protects illegal immigrants who apply before 31, came to the United States before age 16 and have no felonies and have received an education. DACA gives immigrants benefits such as protection from deportation, and a work permit. The program expires after two years but can be renewed. The current status of DACA under the Trump Administration is discontinued. New applications to join DACA are not being accepted, but temporary work permits and protection from deportation has been given to almost 800,000 people....