DAT-TIP Database

Documenting and Tracking Technology and Immigration Policy (DAT-TIP): During a part of our Thursday meetings, you will work on building content for an original database that will serve as the basis for your final paper. You will select a specific topic for which you will research and collect data. The data will track information about migration, the role of technology and impact on the Latinx community. Keep in mind that you can consider impact in the context of power that is harmful, marginalizing AS WELL AS agency, mobilizing, and rights-bearing.

Database Construction – You will decide what yours will comprise. It can be Federal/State Data, Narratives, Interviews, Images, Newspapers, Social Media Posts, etc. 

EXAMPLES: Drafting Database.xlsx Download Drafting Database.xlsx 

Possible Topics for research:
1.Personal Histories, Information & Technology - Interviews w/family (older and/or younger members) about users and use of technology, i.e. social media apps (non-family members can be a comparative group); Spanish-language social media and news consumption; online zines

2.Immigration Law & Policy – From Trump to Biden
  -You may use the Yale Immigration Policy Tracking Project as a starting point, focus on a particular area and update data AS WELL AS create and add new categories. Focus area can be something like labor, visas, health, border control, detention, etc. For adding new categories, consider what is missing, what more you would like to know, and the like. https://immpolicytracking.org/home Links to an external site.
  -Bills – Research Digital Privacy regarding immigrants, immigrant rights, related & track across states; Research video conferencing in courts.
  -Related events of remembering & inclusion: these can be national, local or regional, i.e. political actions, strikes of detained immigrants, reported deaths, opening/closing of detention centers, etc.
  -You may use a different existing database as a starting point OR create your own.

3.Labor – Research apps that counter oppressive actions OR promote networking, opportunities, etc.
  Track wage theft, heat-related deaths, stressors, injuries, carceral abuse

4.Identity – REAL ID across the states (what will you research more closely); Drivers Licenses across the states; Community IDs and Local Citizenship across the states.

5.Surveillance - Smart Walls, Smartphones, Ankle Bracelets; you might track this across the states

6.Activism and Resistance – Technology or apps that counter xenophobia and stigma (track/report discrimination, online hate speech, and related); spaces for self-care, healing, expression (ex. centers in border crossing points of entry).

7.Social Media – Facebook posts, TikToks, Instagram,WhatsApp, etc. What will you look at more closely?

8.Access, Rights and Justice - Research video conferencing in courts, translation (for ex. voting), cashless businesses, etc.

Your own suggestion???

Keep in mind that the content that you research and use in your database will serve as the content for a final paper. The dissemination of your work can be in the form of a formal paper, story map, a YouTube informational video, short story (science or speculative fiction) that imagines solutions or realities that speak to, counter or solve an issue, and the like.  You will discuss this with me and explain in your memo.

Given our class size, you may work independently, with one other peer OR work together as one class on the database. However each of you will submit your own final paper.

The final database will be submitted along with your final paper. HOWEVER, I will ask for draft submissions throughout the quarter and give feedback to support your ongoing research.