Emotional Testimonies: An Ethnographic Study of Emotional Suffering Related to Migration from Mexico to Arizona

Abstract

It is increasingly argued that social and economic inequities poorly affect overall health. One of the means through which these inequities are translated to the body is via negative emotions, which carry known psychological and physiological responses. This paper examines migration-related psychosocial stressors impacting first-generation Mexican immigrants in southern Arizona, and reports on the primary emotional experiences immigrants associate with these stressors. Data were drawn from a qualitative, ethnographic study conducted over the course of 14 months during 2013–2014 with first-generation Mexican immigrants (N = 40) residing in Tucson Arizona and service providers working directly in the immigrant community (N = 32). Results indicate that the primary structural vulnerabilities that cause emotional hardship among immigrants are pre-migration stressors and adversity, dangerous border crossings, detention and deportation, undocumented citizenship status, family separation, and extreme poverty. Many of these factors have intensified over the past decade due to increased border security and state level anti-immigrant legislation in Arizona. Immigrants connected these hardships to the emotions of trauma (50%), fear (65%), depression (75%), loneliness (75%), sadness (80%), and stress (85%), and most respondents reported suffering from three or more of these emotions. Given the heavy emotional toll of migration and the direct impact that regional legislation and border security had on well-being, this paper argues that emotion be considered an important mechanism for health declines in the immigrant community. In order to stem the frequency and intensity of emotional stress in the Mexican immigrant community in Tucson, it is imperative to support organizations and policies that promote community building and support networks and also expand access to and availability of mental health services for immigrants regardless of documentation status.

Coming of Age on the Margins: Mental Health and Wellbeing Among Latino Immigrant Young Adults Eligible for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)

“…The United States is home to approximately 11.4 million undocumented immigrants, half of whom are of Latino origin [1,2]. Immigrants, regardless of legal status, face significant stress both during and following migration [3][4][5]. The immigration experience itself has been shown to threaten individual and family well-being due to separation from family, exposure to traumatic events, discrimination, and loss of social status [6].…”

The Impact of Punitive Immigrant Laws on the Health of Latina/o Populations

“…Anderson and Finch () examined the law's effects on Latina/os’ self‐reported health and found that Spanish speakers were more negatively impacted than English speakers. Additionally, Crocker's () qualitative ethnography of Latina/os in Arizona found that the law exacerbated structural inequalities that contributed to heightened psychological and emotional stress among immigrants. These intensified hostile environments are an important component to our study.…”

“On Edge All the Time”: Mixed-Status Households Navigating Health Care Post Arizona's Most Stringent Anti-immigrant Law

“…Tougher immigration enforcement and restrictive policies continue under the new administration, giving rise to greater uncertainty, which may drive more mixed-status households into the shadows (6). Moreover, the daily anxiety of being detained and deported creates an environment of fear and emotional distress for immigrant communities (7–10). Immigrants' fear of deportation and social stigmatization impede access to health care and make them more vulnerable to chronic illnesses (11, 12).…”

“…Furthermore, when the primary family wage earner is deported during Immigration Custom Enforcement's (ICE) removal operations, the remaining family members suffer economic hardships (10, 13). Particularly affected are children of mixed-status households where one or both parents are non-citizens, either undocumented or permanent legal resident, and where one or more children are U.S. citizens (14–16).…”