Eleventh Global Studies Conference

Abstract

This work identifies and analyzes the reproduction, maintenance, and manifestations of direct, structural, and cultural violence that are at the intersection of gendered and racialized power dynamics which specifically affect Latinas within the United States. Presently, Latino/as form one of the largest ethnic populations in federal prisons. With the passing of time, more Latinas are being detained and incarcerated in the U.S. Immigration legislations and economic shifts in the U.S. since the 1980s have resulted in higher numbers of women immigrating from their Latin American countries to the U.S. More stringent immigration policies and border militarization have restricted the ability of immigrants to return to their countries of origin, resulting in greater numbers of immigrants that settle in the U.S. Consequently, escalating nativist fears have framed Latinas as a source of threat to the stability and homogeneity of the U.S. nation as they are portrayed as public charges and criminals. These nativist views justify the need for greater dependence on the U.S. criminal justice system to control the “issue” of Latina immigrants. These forms of structural and cultural violence make Latina women susceptible to direct violence and impunity. I will thus examine the practices and codes employed to resist this violence.