Conference

Breaking Down The Wall: Examining the Effects of United States Immigration Policy on Latinx Women

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Abstract

This presentation will discuss the impact that US border and immigration policies have had on Latinx women in the United States, focusing particularly on the experiences of undocumented immigrants and Afro-Latinx individuals. Our research will explore the intersections of race, class, and gender and how they have contributed to the discrimination faced by Latinx women. The source material for our presentation will include an interview with Dr. Beatriz Aldana Marquez, focusing on the experiences of women in border communities. In addition to this, we will explore how recent events such as the 2020 Election amplify the oppression felt by Latinx women. The manifestations of this oppression include stereotyping, hyper-criminalization, and restricted access to resources. The main federal organizations that are instrumental in causing these manifestations include the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and other legal entities. Using the CARE Women’s Empowerment framework, we will explore action strategies (such as education, advocacy, and alliance formation) that individuals in academic and corporate settings can take to address women's agency, and the structures and relations that contribute to the oppression of Latinx women.