MICA Statement on St. Charles Resolution
November 27, 2023
The Migrant and Immigrant Community Action Project (MICA) releases the following call for a welcoming St. Louis that recognizes the dignity of all people. This statement is in response to St. Charles County Council’s Resolution 23-08, which failed to pass at the City Council meeting on Monday, November 27, 2023.
Resolution 23-08 was racist, xenophobic, and misleading. MICA staff followed the arguments for and against the resolution both before and at the Council meeting. We would like to voice two primary concerns: (1) the problematic narrative regarding immigration in the United States, and (2) the complexity of immigration law and harm stemming from binary narratives. Ultimately, we urge that St. Louis and the surrounding regions inform themselves regarding the complex nature of immigration, the United States’ role as a driver of immigration, and to consider how the conversation can be shifted to better recognize the value and dignity of all people – regardless of status.
MICA joins many individuals and organizations who opposed Resolution 23-08. We add a critique of the most prominent narratives. Specifically, much of the debate focused on the legal status (or lack thereof) of the immigrants referenced in the resolution. Such conversations reinforce the idea that some immigrants are “good” and doing things the “right way,” and others are not. The debate also focused on immigrant’s economic impact and their value to the workforce. While we agree that immigrants have a positive impact in our communities, we recognize that immigrants, like all people, are much more than their labor.
Building a welcoming St. Louis means recognizing the dignity and full humanity of all people. Immigration law is complex, and a person's "status" is rarely a simple binary. Even more important, status does not reflect a person's worth. Often, immigration law and policy reflect foreign policy and economic interests, which do not reflect a person's deservingness. Further, U.S. immigration policies have historically been tainted by racism and nativism.
We envision a St. Louis that embraces the dignity of all people, regardless of their status. We will continue to work toward ensuring that St. Louis is a welcoming region for all, and we invite you to join us.
The Migrant and Immigrant Community Action Project (MICA) releases the following call for a welcoming St. Louis that recognizes the dignity of all people. This statement is in response to St. Charles County Council’s Resolution 23-08, which failed to pass at the City Council meeting on Monday, November 27, 2023.
Resolution 23-08 was racist, xenophobic, and misleading. MICA staff followed the arguments for and against the resolution both before and at the Council meeting. We would like to voice two primary concerns: (1) the problematic narrative regarding immigration in the United States, and (2) the complexity of immigration law and harm stemming from binary narratives. Ultimately, we urge that St. Louis and the surrounding regions inform themselves regarding the complex nature of immigration, the United States’ role as a driver of immigration, and to consider how the conversation can be shifted to better recognize the value and dignity of all people – regardless of status.
MICA joins many individuals and organizations who opposed Resolution 23-08. We add a critique of the most prominent narratives. Specifically, much of the debate focused on the legal status (or lack thereof) of the immigrants referenced in the resolution. Such conversations reinforce the idea that some immigrants are “good” and doing things the “right way,” and others are not. The debate also focused on immigrant’s economic impact and their value to the workforce. While we agree that immigrants have a positive impact in our communities, we recognize that immigrants, like all people, are much more than their labor.
Building a welcoming St. Louis means recognizing the dignity and full humanity of all people. Immigration law is complex, and a person's "status" is rarely a simple binary. Even more important, status does not reflect a person's worth. Often, immigration law and policy reflect foreign policy and economic interests, which do not reflect a person's deservingness. Further, U.S. immigration policies have historically been tainted by racism and nativism.
We envision a St. Louis that embraces the dignity of all people, regardless of their status. We will continue to work toward ensuring that St. Louis is a welcoming region for all, and we invite you to join us.
Working Together
The MICA Project works with immigrant communities to address the issues affecting people's lives. We work with community members and leaders to determine what these issues are and to decide how to address them.
Community Advisory Panel
The MICA Project seeks the input of immigrant community members as it plans its programming. If you are interested in providing feedback or participating in a Community Advisory Panel meeting, please contact Jessica at jessicamayo@mica-project.org.
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Grassroots CommunityThe goal of the MICA Project is to not only be a resource for the community, but also to be part of that community. This grassroots philosophy serves as the foundation for our organization and helps to focus our efforts on the promotion of human dignity through a variety of strategies.
Community Outreach
Here are some of the ways the MICA Project works in and with our immigrant communities:
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