Eloy Rivas Sanchez: The Trauma Undocumented People Experience

Local 514 host Savanna Craig invited professor and spokesperson for the migrant justice group Solidarity Across Borders, Eloy Rivas Sanchez for an interview on Facebook live.

As a professor at the University of Carleton, Eloy's research is focused on the trauma that non-status people experience. In this conversation, Eloy discusses what some of this trauma can be, including trauma of violence and persecution in the country one has fled from, the trauma of domestic violence or the the trauma and fear of deportation. 

Eloy has experienced what it's like to not have status and gain status, as he immigrated from Mexico to Canada. He also discusses other barriers non-status people may face, drawing on the experiences of his father, who was undocumented in the United States, and could not receive medical attention until he returned to Mexico.

Montreal's municipal council unanimously passed a motion in support of status for all, which will not provide status, but apply pressure for the federal government to do so. Eloy discussed his opinions on this, and what needs to be done to provide status. 

To watch the interview with borough mayor Giuliana Fumagalli, who introduced this motion, click here.

Eloy and Savanna also discuss the exploitation of migrants, deportations, the hunger strike hosted at the CBSA detention centre located in Laval, the activism at Solidarity Across Borders and how this group provides support to non-status people.

This live followed the release of episode 2 of Local 514, focused on the exploitation of undocumented people in the workforce. To watch the full episode, click here.