Within the complex and fragmented landscape of asylum and immigration policies in the United States, structural humility—tackling complex issues with a humble, nuanced approach—is crucial to understanding, evaluating, and advocating for systemic change and long-overdue reforms. Asylum is a fundamental human right within our U.S. legal system, and it intersects with complex legal, political, and social structures that profoundly impact the lives of people fleeing persecution, violence, and injustice.
Structural competence requires us to acknowledge the historical contexts of displacement, colonization, and geopolitical conflict that give rise to the harmful and dangerous contexts from which asylum seekers flee. It is our moral imperative to provide refuge and protection to people in need while also addressing the root causes that forced these immigrants to leave their homes.
These concepts prompt us to reflect on the injustices embedded within asylum systems. As psychologists, we must pursue more research on the biases, barriers, and gaps in access and opportunity to due process, legal representation, and humanitarian support. Advocacy for reform of our asylum policies must be grounded in science and in principles of equity, justice, and human rights to ensure every individual’s claim is adjudicated expeditiously with dignity and respect.
Embracing structural competence requires a deep understanding of the lived experiences of asylum seekers, including the adversity, disadvantage, and trauma that force these immigrants to leave what is known for the unknown to secure safety for themselves and their children. To create systemic change and uphold the human rights of asylum seekers, we must study the detrimental impacts of restrictive measures, deterrence strategies, and anti-immigrant rhetoric and actions.
Recent studies have documented the high prevalence of post-traumatic stress and related health outcomes among youth and families seeking asylum in the United States. In the face of such compelling evidence, I formed the Presidential Task Force on Immigration and Health to develop a research agenda and advocacy materials to drive policy change. The work of this task force builds on APA’s 2019 commitment to the promotion of the psychological well-being of migrant children, youth, and families by centering the voices, experiences, and dignity of every person fleeing persecution, violence, and trauma.
By embracing structural humility, structural competence, and advocacy, we can strive for a more compassionate, inclusive, and just asylum system built with our psychological science.
