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Risk and Resistance in Deportation Nation: Latina Sociology

William Golding

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Published in Immigrants Under Threat: Risk And Resistance In Deportation Nation (Latina/o Sociology 5)

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In the United States, undocumented Latina immigrants face unique risks and challenges due to their marginalized status. They are more likely to be detained, deported, and exploited than other immigrant groups. They also face heightened surveillance and discrimination in their everyday lives.

Immigrants Under Threat: Risk and Resistance in Deportation Nation (Latina/o Sociology 5)

Immigrants Under Threat: Risk and Resistance in Deportation Nation (Latina/o Sociology Book 5)

by Greg Prieto

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
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In this essay, I will explore the risks and forms of resistance employed by undocumented Latina immigrants in the United States. I will draw on the concept of "deportation nation" and the field of Latina sociology to analyze the challenges and opportunities that these women face.

Deportation Nation

The concept of "deportation nation" was coined by scholars to describe the ways in which the United States has become increasingly punitive and exclusionary towards undocumented immigrants. Since the 1990s, the US government has implemented a series of policies that have made it more difficult for undocumented immigrants to live and work in the country. These policies include increased border enforcement, expanded detention and deportation programs, and the creation of a hostile climate for undocumented immigrants.

Deportation nation has had a devastating impact on the lives of undocumented immigrants. In 2017, there were an estimated 11.3 million undocumented immigrants living in the United States. Of these, 6.9 million were from Mexico, and 2.6 million were from other Latin American countries. Over the past two decades, the number of undocumented immigrants deported from the United States has increased dramatically. In 2017, over 226,000 undocumented immigrants were deported, the highest number in history.

The deportation of undocumented immigrants has torn families apart, destabilized communities, and created a climate of fear and uncertainty. Undocumented immigrants are afraid to leave their homes, go to work, or send their children to school. They are also afraid of being detained and deported.

Latina Sociology

Latina sociology is a field of study that focuses on the experiences of Latina women in the United States. Latina sociologists have documented the challenges that Latina women face, including discrimination, poverty, and violence. They have also examined the ways in which Latina women resist oppression and create new opportunities for themselves and their communities.

Latina sociology is a valuable lens through which to examine the experiences of undocumented Latina immigrants. Latina sociologists have shown that undocumented Latina immigrants are not simply victims of circumstance. They are active agents who are shaping their own lives and the lives of their families and communities.

Risks Faced by Undocumented Latina Immigrants

Undocumented Latina immigrants face a unique set of risks due to their marginalized status. These risks include:

* Heightened surveillance: Undocumented Latina immigrants are more likely to be stopped, questioned, and detained by law enforcement than other immigrant groups. They are also more likely to be subject to racial profiling. * Detention: Undocumented Latina immigrants who are detained are more likely to be held for long periods of time and to be deported. They are also more likely to be held in substandard conditions and to be denied access to legal counsel. * Deportation: Undocumented Latina immigrants who are deported are more likely to be separated from their families and communities. They are also more likely to be deported to countries where they face persecution or violence. * Exploitation: Undocumented Latina immigrants are more likely to be exploited by employers and landlords than other immigrant groups. They are also more likely to be victims of human trafficking.

Forms of Resistance Employed by Undocumented Latina Immigrants

Despite the risks they face, undocumented Latina immigrants are not passive victims. They are actively engaged in a variety of forms of resistance, including:

* Organizing: Undocumented Latina immigrants are organizing themselves to fight for their rights. They are forming community groups, unions, and advocacy organizations. They are also working with other immigrant rights groups and allies to build a movement for immigrant justice. * Community building: Undocumented Latina immigrants are creating their own communities and institutions. They are establishing schools, churches, and health clinics. They are also organizing cultural events and festivals. * Seeking sanctuary: Undocumented Latina immigrants are seeking sanctuary in churches, universities, and other safe spaces. They are also using social media to connect with other undocumented immigrants and to raise awareness about their plight.

The experiences of undocumented Latina immigrants in the United States are complex and multifaceted. They face unique risks and challenges due to their marginalized status. However, they are also actively engaged in a variety of forms of resistance. By organizing, building community, and seeking sanctuary, undocumented Latina immigrants are fighting for their rights and creating a better future for themselves and their families.

The findings of this essay have implications for understanding the experiences of undocumented immigrants and the future of immigration policy in the United States. First, they show that undocumented immigrants are not simply victims of circumstance. They are active agents who are shaping their own lives and the lives of their families and communities. Second, they show that undocumented immigrants are capable of resisting oppression and creating new opportunities for themselves and their communities. Third, they show that the deportation of undocumented immigrants is a costly and ineffective policy that tears families apart, destabilizes communities, and creates a climate of fear and uncertainty.

Immigrants Under Threat: Risk and Resistance in Deportation Nation (Latina/o Sociology Book 5)

by Greg Prieto

5 out of 5