Slavery+and+Human+Migration

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Relate the progression of your group's discussion (not just what you discussed, but how you discussed it and in what order different points were made). Finish by reporting the conclusion(s) that your group came to, if any, and further questions or actions you recommended.
 * Reporter: Sedra**
 * Recorder: Sydney**
 * Class Period: 1st**
 * Central Question: How does migration affect the people who migrated?**

While discussing this question, Amirah stated that vulnerability leads to human trafficking. Michael, Sydney, and Sedra agreed with Amirah and then went in depth with the statement. Sedra stated that there were language barriers that contributed to the immigrants vulnerability. Michael stated that due to the language barriers, migrants were willing to take any job. They would look for cheap labor in order to make some form of money, and this led into bonded contracts. These bonded contracts trapped the Immigrants and forced labor upon them. We all came together and agreed that these immigrants needed saving, however, we decided that the rescued slaves should have a choice in where they get sent (home or stay in the US).

We decided that slaves should be given the option, but if they decide to stay, then they deserve a small amount of welfare payments. Staying doesn't mean they can bring their whole family to wherever they are, but they are more than welcome to go and come back. We figured going home will be a popular choice because many slaves don't fit into the society where they are, because they may not speak the language or aren't used to the customs.
 * Reporter: Ben Baitman**
 * Recorder: Caitlin Cole**
 * Class Period: 5th**
 * Central Question: Should imported slaves be deported or made citizens (or a third option)?**

We related the the question to the migrant crisis in Europe and Syria. Many people fleeing the violence in Syria are paying people to get them out. While the refugees aren't necessarily being sold into slavery, the people whom they pay are effectively human traffickers. These traffickers have no obligation to get the refugees to where they want to go, nor is there any promise of safety. In many cases, refugees are ditched at the border or at sea, creating situations that often turn out to be fatal.

Our discussion started in a broad sense, trying to come to a consensus definition of slavery. We decided on "forced labor against one's will". We then moved to the central question, deciding that immigration policy does not affect slavery. One viewpoint was that slaves are transported illegally anyway, so having stronger policy would not have a significant effect. On the other hand, others agreed that border control can comb out some of the slaves coming in. Therefore, policy would have an effect.
 * Reporter: Alex Shafer**
 * Recorder: Amy Zhang**
 * Class Period: 5th**
 * Central Question: Does policy on immigration really affect slavery in modern times?**

The discussion then switched to whether slaves freed from busted slave operations should be compensated by the government. The idea that people would just claim to be slaves to receive benefits arose. However, most of us believed that the freed slaves would be put in a database or some other solution could be found to get past this issue. We agreed that the freed slaves should not be deported, as they would be vulnerable for many reasons including possible language barriers, owning nothing to art with, etc...

Overall, our group agreed that deportation was not the right answer, but victims shouldn't necessarily be made citizens unconditionally. Sending the ex-slaves back to their home countries is likely to create the same situation where they were enslaved in the first place. In addition, deportation fail to repay or protect the slaves. We didn't think that giving the citizenship and sending them out would let them lead a fair life. They would be in a new country that they knew very little about.
 * Reporter: Andrew Frock**
 * Recorder: Nick Eusman**
 * Class Period: 5th**
 * Central Question: Should imported slaves be made citizens or deported?.**

We proposed a temporary shelter and re-integration center. It could provide help for traumatic experiences that the slaves faced, as well as educate them about American society. After enough time, they would gain full U.S. citizenship. This would grant them the protections of citizenship without suddenly putting them in an unfamiliar situation.