What
President Obama’s immigration reform directive will prevent deportation for up to 5 million undocumented immigrants and allow many to work legally in the U.S. Psychologists who contributed to an American Psychological Association Presidential Task Force Report on Immigration are available to discuss the psychological effects of being an undocumented immigrant, the negative effects of child-parent separations brought on by deportations and how reform can help improve their chances to participate more fully in U.S. society.
Who
Michael A. Zárate, PhDopens in new window
El Paso, Texas
Cell: (915) 383-2661
Office: (915) 747-6569
Professor of psychology at the University of Texas at El Paso, Zárate focuses his research on how the need for uniqueness and fear of change can influence prejudice concerning immigrants. He studies how basic psychological concepts influence ethnic prejudice and attitudes toward immigrants.
J. Manuel Casas, PhDopens in new window
Santa Barbara, California
Cell: (805) 689-7459
Office: (805) 682-3874
Professor emeritus of counseling psychology at the University of California, Santa Barbara, Casas can talk about the immigrant experience for children and their families and can offer insight into the challenges of providing mental health services to the immigrant population.
Melba Vasquez, PhDopens in new window
Austin, Texas
As APA’s 2011 president, she convened the Task Force on Immigration. She is an independent practitioner and can talk extensively about the psychosocial impact of being an immigrant as well as the effects of discrimination and prejudice on immigrants.
Background
The 2011 APA Presidential Task Force on Immigration developed an evidence-based report addressing the psychological processes associated with immigration and emphasizes the unique attributes and contributions of immigrant populations.
The American Psychological Association, in Washington, D.C., is the largest scientific and professional organization representing psychology in the United States. APA's membership includes nearly 130,000 researchers, educators, clinicians, consultants and students. Through its divisions in 54 subfields of psychology and affiliations with 60 state, territorial and Canadian provincial associations, APA works to advance the creation, communication and application of psychological knowledge to benefit society and improve people's lives.