Gendering deportation, policy violence, and Latino/a family precarity

Targeting of Latino men leads to a disproportionate burden and strain on Latina immigrant and citizen spouses who remain in the U.S.

“Targeting of Latino men leads to a disproportionate burden and strain on Latina immigrant and citizen spouses who remain in the U.S. (10, 44).”

A qualitative study conducted with 125 Latino families residing in Los Angeles observed similar findings, illustrating the disproportionate harm and burden of male migrants' deportation on women and children.

“Similar findings were observed in a qualitative study conducted with 125 Latino families residing in Los Angeles, illustrating the disproportionate harm and burden of male migrants' deportation on women and children (10).”

Paternal deportation potentially disrupts children's academic trajectories.

“Other implications for families include the potential disruption of children's academic trajectories following paternal deportation (10, 39, 62, 64); this outcome is particularly concerning because of its negative impact on immediate and future human capital development and future economic outcomes.”

Given harsh anti-immigrant rhetoric, family members remaining in the U.S. may hesitate to apply for programs for which they are eligible for fear of future retributions by the government.

“Given the harsh anti-immigrant rhetoric that has persisted in the past decade, family members remaining in the U.S. may hesitate to apply for programs (e.g., Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program) for which they are eligible for fear of future retributions by the government (10, 64).”

Women's roles change due to men's deportation.

“We and others have observed women's changing roles due to men's deportation (10).”

Separated families increasingly use technology (e.g., video-conferencing) to maintain contact between deportees and families remaining in the U.S.

“More recent qualitative studies of deportees residing in Tijuana have illustrated the growing use of technology (e.g., video-conferencing) by separated families to maintain contact between deportees and families remaining in the U.S. (10).”