Heath Cabot spoke diligently about what makes a region “hot” and speaks to the sly irony of the EU’s Dublin System – how it appears to be wholesome in its commitment to holding each nation responsible by requiring that asylum seekers request refugee status and remain in the country where they first entered the E.U. Yet, as pointed out by Cabot, this is a cover used to force nations, such as Greece, to shoulder the majority of the weight of incoming asylum seekers. I believe this behavior unfolds many times throughout the political constructions made between nations – such as the UN, in which their own international human rights do not protect individuals within their own homes. The implication is that women are not protected within their marriages or households. These rules, by the EU or by the example of the UN, are written by those in power, such as EU nations with larger economies or men, and leave those in greater need of support, such as Greece or women, without the resources they need. I hope that in time, rules can be shifted to shed light and support the individuals who, as of yet, do not have the power to shape these regulations but need their support the most.

Nicholas P. De Genova speaks in depth about the concepts of illegality and how it effects politics and societal structures. The irony here lies in that as society punishes those “illegals” for entering their economy and exploiting their job opportunities, the reality is that without the support of these “illegal” individuals, the economy could not continue to expand at the rate it does now. The long term implication of cutting out “illegals” could not only impede the growth of the US economy, but it could also result in generations of perpetuated racial hate. In all the steps we’ve taken forward in equality, society’s focus on “illegality” could undue all this progress.