Let's Talk Human Rights

By Jenny Sobnosky ’21

Throughout the past decade, immigration to the United States has increased immensely. In fact, within the past ten years, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) welcomed over 7.2 million immigrants into the U.S. as naturalized citizens. Many individuals who migrate to the U.S. are refugees or asylum seekers who have been displaced or forced to leave their home due to having experienced persecution, or the fear of persecution, based on their race, nationality, religion, political opinion, or membership in a certain social group. Whether a naturalized citizen, refugee, or asylum seeker, immigrants face many barriers to establishing their lives in the U.S. This challenging reality of the lives of immigrants across the country and specifically in Dayton, Ohio is what moved Dr. Theophile Majka to create a unique fellowship through the Human Rights Center. 

The Linda C. Majka Fellowship was created in 2018 by Dr. Majka in order to support a University of Dayton student in research and advocacy surrounding immigrant and refugee rights. This fellowship is named in honor of Dr. Majka’s late wife and her dedication to advancing human rights, specifically those of immigrants and refugees in the Dayton community. When I applied for the Fellowship in the fall of 2018, I could not have anticipated the extent of valuable skills, knowledge, and experience that I would gain in this position. At the time that I applied, I was a sophomore and had yet to take advantage of the various opportunities provided by the HRC. Thus, when I was granted the position as the Majka Fellow in 2018, I was excited to delve into the world of human rights at UD. 

Since joining the Center, I have developed professional skills, learned about human rights advocacy, and met a countless amount of dedicated individuals working to promote human rights in various fields. The Majka Fellowship has specifically provided me with vehicles for conducting research and advocacy surrounding immigrant and refugee rights. One key project of the Fellowship included exploring and analyzing all of the mechanisms within UD and the City of Dayton that support immigrants and refugees. These findings were produced in a report that lays out the many avenues of knowledge about immigration that exist both on campus and within the Dayton community. The content of this report ranges from research conducted by professors at UD to the multiple organizations in Dayton. For example, I found sixteen courses offered at UD that focus on topics directly related to immigrants and refugees. These courses are within a range of disciplines, from sociology and anthropology, to economics. Another interesting finding of the report is the 2018 Immigration Simulation, involving around 120 participants, which was a unique approach to illustrating what it is like to live as an immigrant or refugee in Ohio. Also, in 2017, President Eric Spina called for the existence of a working group that addresses the needs of the UD community in understanding immigration to the U.S., and how we can promote relationships with immigrant populations near us. The Immigration Working Group now consists of around twelve individuals who are currently working on supporting international students at UD during the pandemic.

Much of my time as the Majka Fellow has been spent planning and supporting community conferences and events that promote dialogue about immigration. Through events such as the 25th Commemoration of the Genocide Against the Tutsi in Rwanda, as well as the third and fourth Ethnic and Cultural Diversity Caucus Forums, I assisted in fostering discussion about the needs of immigrants and refugees in Dayton within a human rights framework.

Perhaps the most valuable component of my work thus far has been forming relationships with individuals and groups in the Dayton community. Through my research and event planning, I have collaborated with organizations such as Welcome Dayton, the National Conference for Community and Justice of Greater Dayton (NCCJ), and Advocates for Basic Legal Equality (ABLE). 

As a student, it can be difficult to break out of the UD “bubble” and interact with the Dayton community. Through my work experience, I have developed a deep appreciation for the City of Dayton and its countless initiatives and organizations that work to promote social justice. What I find unique about these organizations is that they all collaborate with one another in order to provide the most comprehensive services to immigrants and refugees in the community. For example, Welcome Dayton works with ABLE, Catholic Social Services of the Miami Valley, and various English language programs to help immigrants and refugees overcome the many barriers to thriving in the U.S. El Puente is one organization that specifically assists Latino students in learning the English language and succeeding academically. In fact, El Puente grew out of a student organization at the University of Dayton, and is currently directed by a UD alum, Hannah Whalen. El Puente brings together educators and students from local universities and high schools, such as UD, Wright State University, and Chaminade Julienne High School, to tutor and mentor Latino students in Dayton.

Dayton is filled with passionate individuals who are dedicated to protecting the most vulnerable groups, appreciating the diversity of the community, and advocating for the rights of all. For example, I spent time working with Eugenie Kirenga who is a refugee from Rwanda herself, and who currently works as an Immigrant Resource Specialist at Welcome Dayton. While collaborating with Eugenie on several initiatives, we formed a special relationship as she shared her story of coming to the U.S., and how her work has kept her motivated during her struggles. I am inspired by the work of our local leaders and activists, and through my work I have had the honor of connecting with some like Eugenie on a personal level.

In light of the current COVID-19 pandemic, it is especially important to continue to advocate for immigrants and refugees, who are among the most vulnerable populations. With the 25.9 million refugees that are currently displaced throughout the world, the United Nations has increased their efforts to prevent community spread of the virus. Living in congested refugee camps in low-income countries with weak healthcare systems, refugees remain extremely vulnerable to the virus. Immigrants and refugees living in the U.S. are also unproportionally susceptible to contracting the coronavirus due to their large role in frontline jobs, such as food production and transportation. For instance, a meatpacking plant in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, was the site of a large coronavirus outbreak with more than 640 cases. For over 100 years, this plant has primarily employed immigrants and refugees from Latin America, Africa, and East Asia, whose lives are now at great risk.

While it can be easy to dwell on my spring semester at UD being cut short due to the pandemic, I remind myself of those whose livelihoods are at severe risk due to the virus. I am currently researching the resources and services that are available for immigrants and refugees in Dayton during the pandemic. Many of the organizations in Dayton have continued their dedication to helping the most vulnerable by providing assistance in obtaining unemployment benefits, legal advice, and even essential needs, such as food and clothing.

Jenny Sobnosky ‘21 is a junior Human Rights Studies major, with minors in Political Science and Pre Law. She is also an intern at the Human Rights Center, as the first recipient of the Linda C. Majka Fellowship.