So for the past couple years, we have been mainly living in CA… The last time we were back in the East Coast was 6 years ago… We moved multiple times (NY, Philly, NJ, etc) though each time we lived in fairly diverse neighborhoods. We weren’t really that concerned about racism, hate crimes etc. because we never really experienced it back then… And we weren’t concerned because we lived in the East Coast for many years (AtriaDad for almost a decade) and how much could it have changed?
Then the recent attacks against Indians happened, and there were multiple reports of increased racism and negativity towards them… Its really making my parents pause and think whether they can send their daughter away to a place where this type of sentiment might be prevalent.
To be clear, I am a US citizen (born here), but we are a little worried about customs and border control (I have traveled alone int. before and it has always been incident free)… I am, racially, Indian (though I look very Latino and am often mistaken for one) and my passbook is filled with Indian stamps and visas… Usually, I am barely questioned and let through… However, the last time we traveled back to the states was before the election of our new president and before the travel ban. Has anyone traveled int. recently and experienced any neg/more extensive questioning?
I haven’t noticed a major difference since the election. I personally don’t support Trump or what he stands for, but people are entitled to their own opinion. After the election, I found out who the open Trump supporters were but nobody really made any awful comments and I haven’t noticed a huge difference in how people interact with each other at all. For the most part, boarding schools are very accepting places and I hope that whatever school you decide to go to is the same way.
We got Global Entry mainly because it comes with TSA Precheck. I wonder if getting GE could be helpful against CBO scrutiny. Anyone has experience? It may be worthwhile getting GE if you will be doing lots of air travel.
If you look Latino, you might want to make sure you have proof of citizenship on you at all times regardless, especially in CA. ICE is definitely targeting people who look Latino. (I don’t see any fair-skinned Eastern European models or Irish contractors getting caught up in raids).
I don’t think there is much anti Indian sentiment in the states. I’ve never seen that in my world. Anti Muslim, yes. But not anti-Indian. I wonder how much of those statistics is idiot criminals confusing an Indian for a middle eastern person?
Is that map crimes per thousand or ??? Also, its interesting to note that the numbers are from 2015. Purportedly these types of crimes have increased since the election.
Regardless, the travel ban and immigration restrictions seem to be evolving and interpretation of the “rules” is inconsistent. I would suggest that your parents reach out to Middlesex and find out what type of support they will provide to students traveling internationally and how they would handle any issues that might arise, including detainment at the airport or elsewhere.
It truly depends on the exact locations. Massachusetts in comparison to NYC is a lot different in SES and “types” of immigrants. As you get closer to cities and places of business (ie. DC, Boston, NYC, Philly, etc.) there is less hate and discrimination because (quite frankly) people are used to the differences and are more tolerable. I have family that live in Massachusetts who are very vocal about their opinions on immigration BUT would never outright confront someone. On the other hand, I live near DC and the diversity is refreshing and healthy to have as it gives you more perspective. Most of the discrimination is aimed at punishing “radical Islams” and “illegal immigrants”, ha! I’d say know your rights and make sure to travel with someone in case of trouble. Be prepared for the worst and hope for the best- if you do the homework you will always be prepared.
There has been a recent surge in hate crimes, but animosity toward immigrants and minorities is still not that common. There is only a few isolated cases.
@CaliMex
By proof of citizenship, do you mean something like a photocopy of your passport… Or would something like a school id suffice?
The most recent attack (at the bar in Kansas) was apparently instigated due to the shooter assuming the two Indians were Middle-eastern… I am sure they are not the only case…
@HMom16 Its map crimes per lakh which is equivalent to 10,000 …
And interestingly (I have been doing some research) a US citizen (without a dual citizenship) cannot be denied entry to the country (probably bc they have no where else to go )… And, if detained, have the right to an attorney… Anyways, we will contact MX just in case …
I do think my parents are more worried about public sentiment than the immigration… We have a family friend living in Boston, so if there is an emergency we can always count on them…
@queenmother
Which is why we are reaching out to friends and family to try to determine the climate (we have been international for most of the election)…
You know, if you are a US citizen, I don’t feel you should carry a passport around. You don’t need to. Don’t let anyone trample on your rights and freedoms. Understand what your rights are and hold your ground. If we start letting them chip away at our civil liberties, the bad dudes win.
I wish that were true, @doschicos… but there have been cases of US citizens being detained or deported just because they looked Mexican and didn’t have proof of citizenship on them. It is wrong, of course. It shouldn’t happen. And it only tends to happen to people who look Latino.
So you are absolutely correct that US citizens are not required to have proof of citizenship on them. But if you look Latino and live in an area where ICE is active, you might want to be careful, pragmatic, and not assume that all ICE officers are by the book.
Well, video tape them on your phone and call ACLU immediately. I still feel if you know your rights and question them, they’ll back off. There are videos that will instruct you on what to do and say. I also don’t think Concord, MA is an area being targeted for ICE raids. Personally, I’m not advocating for my own offspring to be kowtowed by “the man”.
@Atria The vast number of people living in the NE are decent folk. Nice even. However, criminals and jerks seem to rack up victims and incidences out of proportion to their numbers. One perp usually has many (or at least several) victims. Don’t judge the vast decent majority by the very few despicable aholes.
I live in New England and have heard stories since November of racist verbal attacks. I’ve lived here on and off for good chunks of my life and it is definitely much more rampant than it ever was in the past. The racists and bigots have crawled out of the woodwork.
@doschicos I’ve lived in NE for a very long time and have heard gazillions of stories of nice, decent folk being nice and decent each and every day regardless of who was president. Racism and bigotry are not rampant here.
You’ll be fine @Atria. Unfortunately there are jerks scattered through just about every culture anywhere you go.
This is from a 5 minute google search. There are easily more as well as incidents I’ve heard of first hand of comments made and folks harassed. Nobody said it is “rampant” but it IS in New England and there IS an upswing. Racism doesn’t stop at the borders to the New England states. I’m not living in a bubble here. I don’t know but it is out there.
@atria, I think you should know what to do (who to call, including at your school ) should there be a problem. Be informed and be prepared. It is often not possible to take video on your phone, for example. With a u.s. passport, you are unlikely to have trouble entering the country, though. And MX will be supportive as well when you arrive. Beyond this, I would not invest time in worry.
In reality, the current political environment has emboldened some people to air ugly opinions they might have kept to themselves. It has also spurred many previously passive people to action to protect their intended victims. If you are even 10% of the likeable person in real life you are on these boards, you will have supporters wherever you are.
)… And, if detained, have the right to an attorney… Anyways, we will contact MX just in case 
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