Most people who arrive at the border of the United States seeking asylum are shackled and put into detention.  This is not the global norm and the United States did not always do this.  Unfortunately, the political climate post 9/11 combined with the profit interests of private prisons has created this phenomenon.

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While leading a nonprofit with the mission to care for detained immigrants, I had the opportunity to design and build several versions of community-based housing and services to show that alternatives are not only humane but viable and supported.  This included collaborating with the ACLU and NIJC (National Immigrant Justice Center) to reunify two mothers with their children who were taken from them at the border.  You can read about one of those efforts here.

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As part of the User Experience Research process, people who had formerly been detained participated in focus groups, interviews, and surveys.  I created user journeys and identified pain points.  I used MSCW prioritization to prioritize design features.

 

My experience with creating alternatives culminated in me providing expert testimony to the Immigration Subcommittee of Congress as they consider legislation that would disrupt the current detention system in favor of a system that prioritizes people and well-being.

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