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You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/dec/03/monica-jones-from-transgender-social-worker-to-visa-breach-to-national-threat

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Monica Jones: from transgender social worker to visa breach, to national threat Monica Jones: from transgender social worker to national threat
(about 2 hours later)
US transgender activist Monica Jones agreed to leave Australia on Tuesday after having her visa revoked last week by immigration officials. Though initially denied re-entry for breaching her visa on an earlier trip, a spokesperson for the immigration department later confirmed that her deportation was because she had been classified as a possible threat to the Australian community.US transgender activist Monica Jones agreed to leave Australia on Tuesday after having her visa revoked last week by immigration officials. Though initially denied re-entry for breaching her visa on an earlier trip, a spokesperson for the immigration department later confirmed that her deportation was because she had been classified as a possible threat to the Australian community.
But how does a visiting social work student get classified as a national threat? Jones after all, was in Australia for her work in Aids research and had attended the international Aids conference in Melbourne in July. In February, English trans woman Avery Edison faced a similar situation when she was incorrectly housed in a men’s jail after being detained at Toronto airport over issues with her student visa.But how does a visiting social work student get classified as a national threat? Jones after all, was in Australia for her work in Aids research and had attended the international Aids conference in Melbourne in July. In February, English trans woman Avery Edison faced a similar situation when she was incorrectly housed in a men’s jail after being detained at Toronto airport over issues with her student visa.
One way of understanding why trans women are so vulnerable in legal situations like these is to consider the way that governments here and abroad arbitrarily classify and process non-citizens as security threats. In these instances trans women like Jones and Edison are easy targets.One way of understanding why trans women are so vulnerable in legal situations like these is to consider the way that governments here and abroad arbitrarily classify and process non-citizens as security threats. In these instances trans women like Jones and Edison are easy targets.
In Australia, the database for policing entry is called the movement alert list (Mal). With approximately 700,000 people recorded as possible threats, Mal is extensive but inconsistently applied. In 2012 it was reported that New Zealand nationals with serious criminal records were being allowed to enter Australia. In 2011 Kim Kardashian was placed on Mal for repeatedly breaching her visa application, though she remains a frequent visitor.In Australia, the database for policing entry is called the movement alert list (Mal). With approximately 700,000 people recorded as possible threats, Mal is extensive but inconsistently applied. In 2012 it was reported that New Zealand nationals with serious criminal records were being allowed to enter Australia. In 2011 Kim Kardashian was placed on Mal for repeatedly breaching her visa application, though she remains a frequent visitor.
Jones has stated that while detained by immigration she was approached by Channel 7’s Border Security, a reality TV show currently shooting at Sydney airport. Producers of the show had been eager for her deportation story, apparently tipped off to the details of her situation before she’d had a chance to reveal them.Jones has stated that while detained by immigration she was approached by Channel 7’s Border Security, a reality TV show currently shooting at Sydney airport. Producers of the show had been eager for her deportation story, apparently tipped off to the details of her situation before she’d had a chance to reveal them.
Though it’s not clear how Jones went from visa breach to national risk, it is likely that the immigration department targeted Jones because of an existing criminal record. It’s also possible that immigration officials at the airport flagged and detained Jones because they were on the look out for travellers with high story-value suitable for a reality TV show like Border Security.Though it’s not clear how Jones went from visa breach to national risk, it is likely that the immigration department targeted Jones because of an existing criminal record. It’s also possible that immigration officials at the airport flagged and detained Jones because they were on the look out for travellers with high story-value suitable for a reality TV show like Border Security.
And here is where Jones as a transgender woman is so vulnerable to the abuses of a system like Mal and why trans women, and trans women of colour in particular, face such disadvantage.And here is where Jones as a transgender woman is so vulnerable to the abuses of a system like Mal and why trans women, and trans women of colour in particular, face such disadvantage.
In April, Jones was convicted of “manifesting prostitution” under a highly discriminatory Arizona profiling law where police are able to arrest women for even the suspicion of being involved in sex work. In Arizona, waving at cars, talking to passersby or inquiring if someone is a police officer is enough to get you charged.In April, Jones was convicted of “manifesting prostitution” under a highly discriminatory Arizona profiling law where police are able to arrest women for even the suspicion of being involved in sex work. In Arizona, waving at cars, talking to passersby or inquiring if someone is a police officer is enough to get you charged.
As a transgender woman of colour Jones didn’t stand a chance. She has repeatedly argued that there was a political dimension to her arrest. As a social work student and activist, Jones had been a harsh and pivotal critic of Arizona’s recently discontinued Project Rose.As a transgender woman of colour Jones didn’t stand a chance. She has repeatedly argued that there was a political dimension to her arrest. As a social work student and activist, Jones had been a harsh and pivotal critic of Arizona’s recently discontinued Project Rose.
The highly controversial project was a so-called diversionary program based in Phoenix that targeted sex workers and led to mass arrests, detainment without charge, and forced participation in religious-based rehabilitation programs under the threat of lengthy incarceration if refused. Pressure from Jones and her supporters led to the welcome announcement of its discontinuation last week.The highly controversial project was a so-called diversionary program based in Phoenix that targeted sex workers and led to mass arrests, detainment without charge, and forced participation in religious-based rehabilitation programs under the threat of lengthy incarceration if refused. Pressure from Jones and her supporters led to the welcome announcement of its discontinuation last week.
The irony here is that Jones was able to be deported from Australia because of a criminal charge she received in the process of successfully overturning the same kind of race and gender based discrimination used to profile and detain her at Sydney airport.The irony here is that Jones was able to be deported from Australia because of a criminal charge she received in the process of successfully overturning the same kind of race and gender based discrimination used to profile and detain her at Sydney airport.
It is unlikely that Border Security would have been interested in Jones if she hadn’t been involved in a high profile legal challenge involving sex work and trans women. Their interests would have been purely superficial: Jones’ novelty had nothing to do with her brave, passionate and principled stand against injustice and discrimination in her home country and everything to do with a stereotypical portrayal of trans women of colour.It is unlikely that Border Security would have been interested in Jones if she hadn’t been involved in a high profile legal challenge involving sex work and trans women. Their interests would have been purely superficial: Jones’ novelty had nothing to do with her brave, passionate and principled stand against injustice and discrimination in her home country and everything to do with a stereotypical portrayal of trans women of colour.
Transgender people continue to enjoy greater social acceptance in Australia, Europe and America, but still remain vulnerable to the arbitrary use of laws that are so easily used to target them. While the media continues to focus on the worst stereotypes of trans women and ignores the courage, compassion and determination that are the real story behind activists like Monica Jones, this is unlikely to change.Transgender people continue to enjoy greater social acceptance in Australia, Europe and America, but still remain vulnerable to the arbitrary use of laws that are so easily used to target them. While the media continues to focus on the worst stereotypes of trans women and ignores the courage, compassion and determination that are the real story behind activists like Monica Jones, this is unlikely to change.