At a recent League of Women Voters meeting held on April 24, participants took part in an impactful law simulation aimed at fostering empathy and understanding surrounding the challenges faced by immigrants and refugees. The session, led by Jose A. Serrano, director of the Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs for Orange County, encouraged attendees to confront the fragile essence of identity amid crisis.

Attendees reflected on their lives by jotting down four significant elements on separate pieces of paper: a cherished hobby, an important person’s name, a personal role, and a meaningful possession. This exercise shifted the discussion away from conventional immigration labels, emphasizing the individual human experiences that lie beneath.

Following this reflection, the papers were shuffled and turned upside down, symbolizing the uncertainty of sudden upheaval. Serrano presented a grim scenario: participants imagined themselves in a war zone with limited escape routes—one leading to Canada, a day and a half away, and the other to the U.S.-Mexico border, merely an hour and a half distant.

In the face of this high-pressure situation, participants grappled with the reality of difficult decision-making. They were challenged to choose one item from their reflections to keep, subsequently tearing up the other three. This exercise poignantly illustrated the heart-wrenching choices that immigrants and refugees often face, wherein vital pieces of their identity must sometimes be relinquished for the sake of survival.

Serrano guided participants through the exercise, urging them to contemplate their feelings as they navigated the metaphorical loss of cherished aspects of their lives.

“This area is no longer safe for you and your loved ones,” he stated. “Things are happening quickly, and your ability to make decisions about your future is nearly nonexistent.”

He encouraged participants to internalize the significance of their remaining item, asking, “How does this make you feel?” The exercise underscored the profound emotional toll of displacement and emphasized the importance of recognizing shared humanity transcending labels.

“As we reflect on the meal on your plate, remember that you didn’t select those vegetables, fruits, or meats—someone else did,” Serrano remarked, highlighting how everyday lives are intertwined regardless of background.

“While I’m not suggesting that the person who prepared your meal is necessarily an immigrant, the fact remains that the food we eat often comes from elsewhere. It doesn’t just grow in our backyards.”

By humanizing the discussion around immigration, Serrano aimed to change perceptions and open hearts, encouraging conversations about the complexities and mission of the Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs.

This thought-provoking activity not only generated meaningful dialogue but also illuminated the emotional realities faced by those experiencing displacement, ultimately fostering a deeper understanding of the issues at hand.

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