Eleventh Global Studies Conference

Abstract

This is a theoretical paper that discusses the different immigration enforcement policies that have been implemented in contemporary United States and their consequences on Latin American immigrants and their families. Based on the information I have found online though resources such as The Pew Hispanic Center, I will answer the following question: how do immigration enforcement policies and family separation impact the United States and all its inhabitants? Indeed, family separations impact children’s well-being as well as their schooling; family members experience emotional trauma as well as economic hardship, and so on. However, immigrants are not the only ones impacted. The overall U.S. population suffers the consequences of such policies. This is manifested through active resistance coming from different organizations in the Tucson community, in Arizona, such as Derechos Humanos, Mariposas Sin Fronteras, or No More Deaths, to name a few. The actions go from providing immigrant families with safe spaces to direct action and civil disobedience. I will thus examine some of the ways individuals have shown their solidarity to immigrants and their families through “transgressive actions.” This work is all the more important now that the new U.S. president is trying to implement new immigration policies and reinforcing the “Latino Threat Narrative” according to which Latin American immigrants are the downfall of the nation. Considering that many European governments look up to the United States in terms of national security measures, this paper and the conversation that can issue from that are essential.