On October 29th, we had the pleasure of hosting a panel talk with Immigrant Allies of Marshalltown. Grinnell College student Gabby Pruneda Turcios discussed her research on surveillance technologies at the U.S.-Mexico border while Maria Gonzalez and Eren Sanchez discussed their personal experiences as undocumented immigrants. Gabby’s presentation illuminates how technologies are part of the Prevention Through Deterrence program that attempt to disincentive migrants from clandenstine migration but only push them to cross into more dangerous terrain. Maria’s moving testimony touched on an ICE raid at a meatpacking plant in Marshalltown that impacted her own family. Eren discussed how her undocumented status made it financially difficult to attend local colleges in Iowa, including Grinnell College where she had visited, because DACA students were classified as international students. Maria, Eren, and Gabby’s biographies can be found here.
Speakers Maria Gonzalez, Eren Sanchez, and Gabriela (Gabby) Pruneda Turcios.
Gabby presenting her Mellon Mays undergraduate research based on her internship at a migrant shelter the U.S.-Mexico border.
Refreshments after the panel talk