2023 Migration and Technology Monitor Fellows
Meet our FIRST cohort Migration and Technology Monitor Fellows! Over the last year we have worked with and learned from 5 people with lived experience of migration from all over the world, as they interrogate technology, surveillance, and migration.
Our fellowship program aims to create opportunities for people with lived experience to meaningfully contribute to research, storytelling, policy, and advocacy conversations from the start, and not as an afterthought. Among our aims is a collaborative, intellectual, and advocacy community committed to border justice. We prioritize opportunities for participatory work, including the ability to pitch unique and relevant projects by affected communities themselves. Read our press release to learn more.
The Walls Have Eyes: Border Tech Conversations
with the Migration and Technology Monitor
Verónica Martinez is a bilingual multimedia reporter from the US/Mexico border. She covers immigration and women’s issues for La Verdad de Juárez, exploring the intersection of human mobility and gender on topics like access to abortion at the border and reproductive justice for migrant women. Her project will document the use of social networks and false information in mobile communities, as well as investigating the use of surveillance applications such as the CBP One application to manage access to asylum applications and the resulting hypersurveillance at the Ciudad Juárez-El Paso border.
Interview with Veronica:
1. Describe your work and what brought you to the MTM
I’m a bilingual and multimedia journalist located in Ciudad Juárez covering immigration and border issues. As a born and raised fronteriza borders have always been fascinating for me, as metaphorical concepts, as physical barriers and as policies that affect the communities that I live in. In my work as a journalist I have aimed to narrate and present stories of people on the move but with experience I have learned that keeping an eye on federal immigration policies is essential to assess the impacts that we will see in border communities, how they shift the life of fronterizos and affect people who are currently experiencing displacement.
2. Why is working on border technologies important to you?
As a reporter living on the border I’ve been observing how U.S. and Mexican authorities have been collaborating to implement actions that aim to manage migration trends and influx. We understand that the use of technology and information sharing is essential for these collaborations. I came to the Migration and Technology Monitor aiming to connect with experts in technology in order to raise awareness on how tech is used to further implement surveillance strategies and how tech tools are used during the asylum and parole process. My current work has focused on the use of CBP One, an application implemented by the Biden Administration to manage humanitarian asylum requests, how this technology was not designed to fit the needs of asylum seekers and that in consequence it is externalizing the U.S. and Mexico’s border digitally.
3. What keeps you going and brings you joy?
Rest and art really keeps me going. Living in a bicultural region broadens the type of media, art and creative people that I encounter. That keeps my interest on border issues going, but there’s a limit to that interest. Rest and sunbathing with my cats brings joy and balance to my life.
Contact Veronica:
Via email: vmartinezmedia@gmail.com
Via Instagram: vmreports
Via X: vmreports_
Stories:
Cuando los cruces ilegales a Estados Unidos superan las citas por CBP One
https://laverdadjuarez.com/2024/02/08/cuando-los-cruces-ilegales-a-estados-unidos-superan-las-citas-por-cbp-one/
US to help Mexico with training, equipment to help slow migrant flow
English: https://elpasomatters.org/2023/07/27/ken-salazar-richard-verma-visit-juarez-el-paso-border-migrants/
Spanish: https://laverdadjuarez.com/2023/07/27/estados-unidos-busca-blindar-la-frontera-de-chihuahua-para-frenar-a-migrantes/
Frontera militarizada: 12 meses entre alambres de púas y la Guardia Nacional de Texas
https://laverdadjuarez.com/2023/12/20/frontera-militarizada-12-meses-entre-alambres-de-puas-y-la-guardia-nacional-de-texas/
Nery Santaella (Nani) is a Venezuelan refugee and the Director of Voices Of Venezuela. Her initiative has allowed Venezuelan refugees to access services, programs, and protection mechanisms in their host communities through innovative uses of communication technologies such as a ChatBot at the local level. Her project will expand the possibilities of natural language processing and develop safety protocols for people under surveillance, developing her work from a holistic vision that educates with empathy on sensitive issues such as human trafficking, gender violence, xenophobia, and other forms of discrimination.
Wael Qarssifi is a journalist from Syria residing in Malaysia. His project aims to produce original reporting about the issues of migration and refugees in Asia through diverse journalism mediums. It also seeks to create a factual representation of migrants and refugees in the media and combat disinformation used to spread hate speech towards vulnerable communities.
Interview with Wael:
1. Describe your work and what brought you to the MTM.
My work aims to produce factual journalism about people on the move that does not abandon the humanitarian core of issues related to migration and borders. I focus on providing fact-based empathetic reporting on people on the move while being very aware of the space that must be provided to people on the move in contrast to the massive space and amplification acquired by different agents controlling the border and lives of these people. For these reasons I was very encouraged to apply to MTM and become a part of it, because of how it aims to provide the lead to people on the move to tell their own story in their own unique ways and reclaim the narrative about their reality.
2. Why is working on border technologies important to you?
As a person on the move myself, I've lived and seen directly how border technologies dictate the lives of so many people, whether they are escaping war, oppression or discrimination. And while living as a refugee in Malaysia, unrecognised by law, I witnessed how these technologies extend way beyond the border and affect the lives of people on the move, often depriving them of basic human rights. When I tell the story of a person on the move, I tell my own story, and that is very important to me not just as a journalist but as a human being.
3. What keeps you going and brings you joy?
The strong sense of responsibility is what keeps me going in hard moments. Even when I feel as a journalist that my reporting is not bringing any direct impact to make reality better, I still have this strong urge to tell a story that deserves to be told, and to use my voice and the education that I was privileged to have to try and make things better, even if it's the smallest things.
Resources:
KINIGUIDE | Debunking myths, misconceptions about refugees: available in English, Malay, and Chinese.
Aljazeera | Refugees in Malaysia worry government tracking system a ‘trap’: https://bit.ly/3PjrHDk
Aljazeera | Refugees risk exploitation, abuse in Malaysia food industry: https://bit.ly/3wYhAgR
New Naratif | Malaysia’s Hypocrisy on Palestine: available in English and Malay.
You can check more of my work on this link: https://linktr.ee/wqarssifi
Simon Drotti is a Data Analysis, Graphics and UX Designer, and a refugee living in Uganda. He is passionate about technology and how it can be leveraged to accelerate development from the grassroots level. His project is a “Memory Scroll,” a storytelling archive for and by refugees, asylum seekers, internally displaced, the bereaved, and those who want their grievous stories to be heard to keep a record, connect communities, and influence policies.
Interview with Simon:
1. Describe your work and what brought you to MTM?
It's often someone's story of resilience that sparks empathy, strength, and connection. When I was just nine years old, my parents went through a tough divorce, leaving our family as the poorest in the village. Despite these hardships, I managed to continue my education up to Advanced Level. I've always been fascinated by gadgets and would often open them, trying to understand how all the parts inside work together. I also had a passion for fine art, but unfortunately, the schools I attended didn't offer those subjects, so I had to explore them on my own. I found joy in sharing my story with friends and hearing theirs. These conversations helped us support and uplift each other through tough times. Despite the challenges, I've learned valuable lessons of patience, discipline, hard work, and commitment.
That's why I wanted to create a platform to archive stories such as mine and my friends, as they have the power to inspire and transform one another. While platforms like Facebook focus on sharing moments of happiness, life isn't always cheerful. My goal is to provide a space where refugees and people in challenging situations can share their stories of resilience, connect with others, reflect on how life has changed over time as they walk through their shared stories, and seek support when needed.
The idea for this platform wouldn't have come to fruition without the support of Migration and Technology Monitor (MTM). Their unique approach, focusing on promoting grassroots initiatives, has been of great help in our journey. Through MTM, we've connected with peers from different countries, exchanged experiences, and received timely support, including funding, technical guidance, and networking opportunities, which have been crucial in bringing our app to life.
2. Why is working on (border) Technology important to you?
In today's world, it's hard to ignore the impact of technology. My life experiences have shown me the power of using technology to connect people, enhance their digital skills, build communities, especially among refugees, and create social spaces for mutual support. It's especially meaningful to me because this technology is developed by refugees themselves.
3. What keeps you going and brings you joy?
Seeing people come together in peace, despite facing challenges, brings me joy. I believe my worth lies in making a difference in people's lives, drawn from my own experiences. Identifying problems and finding solutions is my driving force, and as long as there are challenges to tackle, I'll keep pushing forward.
Stay tuned for Simon’s Memory Scroll App: memoryscroll.net
Personal Mail: simondroti44@gmail.com
Facebook: Facebook
Twitter: Twitter
Linkedin: LinkedInh
Rajendra Paudel (R.P. Srijan) is a returnee migrant worker from Saudi Arabia and UAE, having lived there for over 8 years. Currently in Nepal, he works to provide aspiring and current migrant workers with information and training on personal finance, career development, and business planning and development. His project is to launch a resource website and an app aimed at migrant workers in Nepal, Bangladesh, India, and the Middle East.
Interview with Rajendra:
1. Describe your work and what brought you to the MTM.
In my work, I wear multiple hats - I am a migrant worker and an influencer within migrant worker communities. My focus revolves around three main pillars:
Disseminating Important Information: I prioritize providing crucial information about migration, foreign employment, and the dynamics of both the country of origin and destination. This includes sharing insights on various aspects related to migration to empower individuals with knowledge about the process and its implications.
Financial and Digital Literacy: In addition to conducting training workshops and creating educational videos on financial and digital literacy, I am actively involved in raising awareness among migrant workers to safeguard them against various forms of fraud such as employment fraud, crypto fraud, and trade fraud. These resources are disseminated across multiple social media platforms, with a special emphasis on YouTube, Facebook, and TikTok. My aim is to equip migrant workers with essential skills to navigate financial matters effectively and navigate the digital landscape confidently while making them aware of potential fraudulent activities.
Guidance for Financial Sustainability: I offer personalized guidance to individuals to ensure their financial sustainability in the future. Through tailored advice and support, I help people make informed decisions regarding their financial well-being, laying the groundwork for a more secure future.
Joining the MTM has been instrumental in realizing my aspirations. Through this fellowship, I have been able to scale up my work significantly. This includes the creation of a mobile application tailored to the needs of migrant workers, facilitating smoother transitions from Nepal to Malaysia and beyond. The fellowship provides me not only with a platform to reach a wider audience but also the freedom to execute my initiatives in a manner that aligns with my vision. Moreover, the financial support offered by the fellowship enables me to implement projects effectively, thereby enhancing my ability to reach and assist migrant workers on a larger scale. I estimate that I can indirectly reach over 3M+ individuals and directly assist around 1,000 aspiring and current migrant workers. Additionally, I participated in an international workshop in Thailand on CTIP and talked about the use of social media for combating Human trafficking. MTM has broadened my understanding of migration from an international perspective and deepened my knowledge of border technologies. Overall, the MTM fellowship has been a catalyst for both personal and professional growth, enabling me to contribute meaningfully to the migrant worker community.
2. Why is working on border technologies important to you?
Working on border technologies is crucial to me for several reasons. Firstly, migration is inherently challenging, and the processes involved in moving from one place to another can be daunting, especially for migrant workers like myself. Border technologies have the potential to streamline and improve these processes, making them more efficient and less burdensome for migrants.
Moreover, technology itself is neither inherently good nor bad; it's how we utilize it that matters. By engaging with border technologies, we have the opportunity to shape their development and ensure that they are used in ways that prioritize the well-being and rights of migrants.
As a migrant worker on a temporary migration cycle, I understand firsthand the complexities of migration. My personal experiences motivate me to delve deeper into understanding border technologies and their implications. By acquiring knowledge about these technologies, I aim to empower my fellow worker friends with accessible and understandable information. I believe that by demystifying border technologies and explaining their relevance in simple terms, we can collectively navigate the migration process with greater ease and confidence.
3. What keeps you going and brings you joy?
What keeps me going and brings me joy is the tangible impact I see every day. When I receive over 50 messages daily from individuals expressing gratitude for the help they've received from my videos and information, it serves as a powerful reminder of the positive influence I have. Thousands of comments affirming the value of my work reinforce my sense of purpose and motivate me to continue.
Engaging in this work doesn't feel like a job; it's a source of genuine enjoyment and fulfillment. I consider myself fortunate to have found a calling that aligns with my passion and values. Every effort I make is driven by a mission to assist as many people as possible within the migrant worker community. Knowing that my contributions are making a meaningful difference in the lives of others fuels my determination to keep going and inspires me to reach an even larger audience.
My Social Media Links where I am working:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rpsrijanofficial
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@rp.srijan
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rpsrijan
Mobile Application: https://bidesh.online/
Financial Education Course: https://www.waytosuccess.guru/