Illegal immigration - a growing issue leading to harm for some refugees

According to statistics from two years ago, there were an estimated 11.4 million Mexican-born US residents (US Census Bureau's annual American Community Survey). Over half of the children born of Mexican decent are unauthorized according to estimates from the US Department of Homeland Security. Most people would consider illegal immigration in the US as a growing issue. In addition, the overall stigmas and discrimination against Mexican-americans is on the rise. As college students, we are all familiar with the common Mexican jokes and have developed such phrases as “Mexican stash” into our vocabulary. On our trip to Cape Town, one of the students was of Mexican decent. Another rude student made an inappropriate joke regarding his culture and background. I couldn’t believe that such racism was placed in a joke context and directed towards someone from Mexico. It goes to show how accepting and accustomed we really are to discrimination and racism.

In the US, Mexican migrants are primarily concentrated in states such as California, Texas, Illinois, however; they are now following economic opportunities in other southern states such as Georgia and North Caroline in addition to some central states like Iowa and Nebraska. While I know little about Mexican immigrants, to my understanding; the majority of them are here for economic purposes rather than seeking a safe haven from danger that they may be in. Similarly, illegal immigrants are present in South Africa. Illegal immigrants are neither asylum seekers nor refugees. Rather, they majority of them are from neighboring countries primarily traveling for economic pursuit.

The views and beliefs that some Americans have against Mexicans (they usually don’t separate illegal vs. legal) are very similar to the views that some South Africans have regarding immigrants from all of Africa (regardless of illegal vs. legal). Even in the two pictures shown, individuals are often treated poorly in both countries, the top one showing an immigration center with captured Mexicans and the bottom one showing African immigrants. The typical American may view and treat refugees differently than illegal immigrants, but it is usually apparent if an individual is from Mexico or a refugee from a different part of the world. Some Americans provide assistance and contribute to the new life that refugees build – however, very few assist with the influx of individuals from Mexico. In contrast, South Africans cannot usually determine who is an economic migrant versus a refugee – and therefore Xenophobic attacks target all foreigners.

While America has always stood for being a country with diverse ethnic cultures that make it great, the fear is that those who have little and who suffer the most especially in the current economic downturn will begin to treat foreigners especially from Mexico more poorly. As a result frustrated individuals blame and look at Mexican workers as one of the contributing factors for their unemployment. Similarly, South Africans view all foreigners (including refugees) as individuals who are responsible for their lack of employment. The parallels between the two countries is remarkable regarding the overall views of illegal immigration - however in South Africa there is a growing problem with legal immigration attacks. There is a clear need for education regarding treatment of foreigners to prevent further attacks. Education is the only true answer.

Comparing the Health Status of Asylum Seekers

The 1951 United Nations Convention relating to the Status of Refugees states that a refugee is defined as a person who, ‘owing to a well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion, is outside the country of his nationality, and is unable to or, owing to such fear, is unwilling to avail himself of the protection of that country’ (UNHCR, 1951: Article 1A(2)). Asylum-seekers are defined as individuals who are attemping to hoping to obtain refugee status; however they remain asylum-seekers while they are awaiting a decision on their application for refugee status. Asylum seekers are present in the country in which they are attempting to become a refugee in.
Countries such as the United States of America and South Africa treat and grant asylum to individuals in drastically different ways. As the developed country, I would have assumed that the United States of America has effective protocol in place to ensure that individuals are treated fairly and properly as they seek asylum. My rude awakening did not occur from insights that occurred from conversations with friends working directly with asylum seekers in York prison, rather with how different the system is across the world. The minute that I heard stories about tragic tortured victims who were treated like criminals – I knew that something was not right but I figured that the US was probably just another country that treated asylum seekers the same. The US’s detention system holds up to 400,000 immigrants and asylum seekers. These statistics include individuals from more than 200 jails, like York County Prison. These statistics do not convey the frustration and shock that felt when I learned that in South Africa immigrants and asylum seekers are not poisoned. Instead, they are granted a temporary three-month permit that allows them to live and work in South Africa. Individuals complete the Eligibility Determination Form and hand them in at the various offices available throughout the country. The permit legalizes individual’s stay in South Africa until a final decision is made about their refugee claim.

University of Cape Town’s Law school has an incredible Law Clinic (on the first floor of the building shown) that focuses on assisted refugees and asylum seekers with all of their legal matter. After having the wonderful experience to meet with some of the lawyers, I learned that Refugees and asylum seekers are entitled to the same health care services that all South African nationals are entitled to. This means that they receive the same exact healthcare service and pay the same fees as other South Africans that are in similar social and economic circumstances. Since the South African government offers most primary health services for free (including services for pregnant women); most of the medical needs of asylum seekers are met. In addition, South African public hospitals require fees depending on the amount of income, number of dependents, and so forth. Fees for services are determined through an income sliding scale, which allows all asylum seekers and refugees to receive the medical care that they need. Many of the patients that we saw at the Masiphumelele clinic were in fact refugees. They received the same exact services that all of the citizens of South Africa received. The health services that asylum seekers receive in the United States of America do not compare to the level of care they receive in a developing country like South Africa. Here, since asylum seekers are in the prison system, they receive the same level and amount of care that other inmates do. According to researches, when in prison, individuals often face inadequate medical and mental health care in addition to the lack of legal representation in the US.

As the country that was created from immigration into the melting pot, the United States should be ashamed of how we treat foreigners and asylum seekers that come to America in seek of safety and security. Though countries like South Africa have so little, it is clear that they understand the importance of human rights and how health care is a critical issue that asylum seekers should have full access too.

Xenophobic attacks near home

Violent attacks, abuse, and terrorizing against refugees occurred in close proximity to our stay in South Africa. Even though our fenced in house, private security guards, and round the clock protection made us safe – the world around us was at times crumbling apart. Though I had never taken the train that ran directly behind our house, other group members did. Conversation rose about taking the train back from Water Front (after our tour of Robin Island) which is usually a 70R cab trip, making it only 7R each. That same evening at 5 PM a Burundian refugee was brutally beaten in a Xenophobic attack on a train near the stop following ours, at Claremont Station. The refugee died in the hospital later that night. 1

Albert Mugabe boarded the train station from the city. He was attacked and killed by Xhosa-speaking individuals that forcibly removed him from the train. Witnesses stated that the group was yelling 'makwerekwere hamba, makwerekwere hamba' which translates to “get out foreigners.” Initially it appeared that the group was just talking amongst themselves, however, they soon began conversation with Mugabe asking him f he spoke Xhosa, where he worked, and how long he had been in the country. After Mugabe answered their questions- the train began to stop for Claremont station. The same individuals began to grab Mugabe and three other individuals that appeared to be foreigners. They began to attack Mugabe while the other three got away. An eyewitness, Nkundaniyigena said that when he looked up someone was banging Mugabe’s head against the train floor. 2 Imagine: in broad daylight and individual getting attacked simply because he or she is a refugee and is fleeing their country because of persecution.

In addition to such close attacks near our stay, I was surprised to learn about the proactive stance that the campus and community members of University of Cape Town took to the threat of Xenophobia. After reading the letter that the Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Max Price sent to all of the staff and students regarding potential threats of xenophobic attacks. I did not cross my mind that many of the UCT students were from different African countries and could easily be viewed as a foreigner, and as a result be attacked. Though the majority of Xenophobic attacks are towards migrant workers - all foreigners must be on edge and take extra caution. The letter resembled many of our Public Saftey emails from F&M. It reassured the international staff and students that the college police officers were prepared to deal with any incidents that may have risen. Even though the xenophobic attacks seemed for far away, it was apparent that they were near us at all times. From the train station behind our house to the safety precaution that the campus was taking - xenophobic attacks to both migrant workers and other individuals (potentially students) are a huge problem that are being addressed.

Xenophobic attacks in Masiphumelele

Millions from Zimbabwe, Zambia, Democratic Republic of Congo, and many other African countries that are experiencing war or extreme poverty, come to South Africa seeking asylum and wanting to start a new and better life. Often time, they leave a tragic world behind only to enter a world full of jealousy and hatred rather than compassion. It was to my surprise to learn that Masiphumelele had an enormous issue with Xenophobic attacks especially because people rarely talked about it. When individuals did talk about it – they often tried to give as little information as possible and wanted to change the subject. I soon learned that the small township that we interned in made national headlines in May of 2008 after horrendous attacks against refugees took place. After the several nights of attack in Masiphumelele, a total of twenty-seven shops run by Somalis were destroyed by flame. Hadith Haji Adam, a twenty six year old spaza owner had only recently fled his unsafe country to find safe haven in South Africa. As he watched his small grocery store burn, he stated, “some people in the community like us, but other’s don’t want the competition.” He even believed that it was not gang members that initiated the attacks; rather “some local shop owners were behind the violence.” 1

The attacks seemed so out of character for the people of Masi that I had been working with daily. After the attacks, the entire township was “ashamed of itself – and its residents promised to make up for what they had done1.” Aside from seeking for forgiveness, Individuals and town members attempted to resupply and give back everything that was stolen or destroyed from the shops like the one above. Residents began to report individuals directly involved in the attack to the police and ensured their foreign neighbors that they will protect them in the future. The local Methodist Pastor, Vuyo Ngwenyana stated that the foreigners “belong here.” As the nation was watching the days after the attack, the people of Masi were applauded for their ability to come together, seek forgiveness, and change for the future. A peace march, an article is shown to the right, took place in Masi following the attacks. Ebrahim Rasool, Governor of the Western Cape claimed that the "The leadership and people of Masiphumelele have done the unthinkable. Convincing people to return the goods which were stolen is a brave move," he said. “You have shown true leadership for the rest of our province and, indeed, the entire country." 1

Looking forward, the most effective form of prevention for Xenophobic attacks is education. An organization called Harlequin Foundation has partnered with STEPS International to host a series of screenings of documentaries and short films for the awareness of xenophobia. A film made in Masi in June of 2009 called Baraka regarding the attacks in May 2008 is being shown every week in March to all of the different grades at Masiphumelele High School. The local film focuses on the life and story of a refugee from Ethiopia who had lived and worked in Masi for a short time before being killed. 2 Films and other education tools are critical to avoid situation and town uprisings like the one that occurred in May of 2008. Through educating young students about the problems that relate to xenophobia is critical, it is also important to educate adults within the community, such as other Spaza owners that are often directly impacted by the presence of refugees.

Living Hope Primary Health Clinic in Masiphumelele, South Africa

I have seen Masiphumelele.

Masiphumelele, formerly known as Site 5 is one of the newer townships in Cape Town, South Africa. The township was renamed by the residents, mainly Xhosa speaking, to mean “We will succeed.” However, during these past few weeks I have learned that the residents have a distant journey to success when it comes to health issues. Masi was created around the time I was born, early 1990’s primarily from members of Khayeltisha Township (one of the largest south African townships with roughly half a million residents), who worked to towns close to Fish Hoak. Often times the town members had to travel over 30 km to get to work, sometimes taking up to two hours on public transportation. Masiphumelele is an ideal location for workers of Fish Hoak and nearby areas.

The town was originally designed for only 500 families – with no intention of community business or markets. However, the township has grown to over 20,000 people – from diverse backgrounds including the Eastern Cape, Somalia, Zimbabwe, and much more. The 500 original homes are still obvious today. Each of the original establishments has turned into the center of the “yards” that exist today. As you walk along side these infrastructures, you enter a different world. Surrounding a common area in the backyard of these homes (typically only 15 x 15 feet) are between 6-10 shacks of different families. (During one of our TB campaign days, I counted up to 16 shacks behind a single yard.)

Throughout our intership, Derek Pediford, Eamon Hal, Walter Stewart and I were able to assist Living Hope which is the only primary health care facility in Masi. Our typical mornings consist of assessing the patients and preparing them for their meeting with the health care physician or nurse. We worked with patients of all ages, especially ill children and young adult females. We also assisted the clinic’s pharmacy in counting pills, labeling, and filing patient records (which was the only boring part of our time at the clinic). We also had the incredible opportunity of shadowing an HIV/AIDS specialist where we were able to observe her monthly appointments. We had the unique experience of also prepping HIV patients for their meeting with the physician (sometimes mothers and infants both HIV positive coming in for treatment.) In the afternoon we initiated the clinics first door to door Tuberculosis campaign. We essentially visited the local houses in the township and educated them about Tuberculosis, its causes and symptoms and encouraged them to get tested for the disease.

Since most of our days involve the same type of work and clients, the rest of this blog will focus on topic-based observations that often are acquired in more than one day or visit. Therefore the rest of this journal will be on an ongoing editing spree during my time in South Africa- as I observe and learn more about each of the following topics that I encounter: Over medication, sanitation, population trends, HIV-AIDS, TB, xenophobia, family planning, and prevention of mother to child transmission. I will be comparing a lot of the issues to similar problems in the United States, since that is the culture that I currently understand best.

lack of in between

I have never been surrounded by so much contrast in my life. The five star hotels next to the crumbling shacks, the expensive bars and the poorest beggars, the cleanest streets and the saddest homeless men, the preppiest school children and the skinniest starving kids. As the beautiful structures and grand entrances of buildings amaze me, within seconds I am taken back to the reality of the world that is still Cape Town. For example, during my walk near the market by long street, directly behind a five star hotel, within a few hundred feet, lie shacks built of scrap material most likely obtained from someone else’s garbage.


From dawn till dusk, we are in contradicting worlds. As we wave goodbye to the security guard of our cozy and comfortable apartments in the mornings, within seconds we pass homeless men and women peeking from underneath their blankets due to the beautiful sunrise behind Table Mountain. During our first pass by- a women was peeling away a cast on her leg, piece by piece. Here I am complaining that I have a soar throat because the heat could of been higher..

In the evenings, we may go dancing at a club. I wouldn’t be able to tell the difference between any of the clubs here and any of the clubs at home. The ones here are sometimes even nicer. The same frat-boy music is often blasting, the same vodka and red bull cocktails, the same creepy men, and of course dance moves make me feel as though I am home again. As we leave the club to go home, within seconds of us stepping out of the venue, beggers of all ages (as young as 14 or 15) are standing there asking for coins. Within minutes of flashy lights and Lady Gaga, we find ourselves amongst 100 pound boys that are begging for pocket change, obviously looking ill from hunger or drugs or both.

As my adventures in Cape Town begin, I’m excited to explore and understand this world in South Africa.