“I thought it would be different”: Experiences of structural violence in the lives of undocumented Latinas.

Abstract

In the United States, a majority of immigrants living with undocumented status hail from Latin America. Their migration is often propelled by adverse conditions and experiences of violence in their countries, which are inextricably linked to historical and ongoing policies of global political powers. However, their suffering does not end in the United States. Whereas many studies focus on the direct/individual violence experienced, few examine the impact of structural violence. Structural violence refers to the injustices embedded in social and institutional structures including laws and policies within societies that result in harm to an individual's psychological and physical well-being. This qualitative study explored the experiences and consequences of structural violence faced by Latina women with undocumented status living in the United States. Participants (n ϭ 8) were recruited in the community using snowball sampling. We conducted in-depth, semistructured interviews focusing on participants' immigration process, health, work, education, and support systems. Using thematic analysis (Braun & Clarke, 2006) as a method, multiple themes that highlighted participants' experiences of structural violence were identified. These included: (a) violence across several contexts, including places of employment, home, community, and while accessing services; (b) psychological and physical consequences of structural violence for participants; and (c) experiences of support and resilience that helped participants survive structural violence. Participants' intersecting identities (e.g., gender, ethnicity/race, documentation status) increased their vulnerability to violence. We highlight the importance of calling attention to violent structures embedded in sociopolitical histories, the importance of systemic changes, including challenging laws and policies, and building solidarity across struggles. Public Significance StatementThis study identifies the structural violence experienced by undocumented Latinas and calls for systemic changes.

Social connectedness and surviving at the margins: Findings from interviews with low-income Latino men in the U.S. Northeast.

“…Skin-color discrimination has been linked to negative health outcomes in PR (Caraballo-Cueto & Godreau, 2021) and other Latinx in the United States (Montalvo & Codina, 2001; Ramos et al, 2003) and abroad (Perreira & Telles, 2014). Additionally, undocumented Latina women face increased vulnerability to violence and have been found to experience multiple forms of structural violence that impact their psychological and physical well-being (Saleem et al, 2020). Latinx sexual and gender minority persons report experiencing greater rates of discrimination, marginalization, and stigmatization (Rhodes et al, 2020).…”

Policy Implications of Structural Violence and Syndemic Dynamics: A Lens for Addressing Latinx Immigrant Diabetes Health Disparities

“…Similarly, in 2020, Meierotto, Castellano, and Curl [38] investigated how social isolation caused by fear of deportation synergistically produces multidimensional barriers to well-being among undocumented Latina farmworkers in Southwestern Idaho. Saleem and colleagues [39] described how structural violence operates in the lives of undocumented Latinas "who thought [life in the U.S.] would be different." They identified the importance of recognizing how gender, ethnicity, race, and immigration status intersect and are played out through direct and indirect violence and fear that characterize the female immigration experience.…”

Bearing witness to structural violence against migrants and envisioning transnational solidarity

“…A statement that feels painfully hollow to those from the global south experiencing the devastating destabilizing impact of the historic and ongoing role of the United States, along with other geopolitical powers, in overthrowing democratically elected governments and orchestrating coups displaying utter disrespect for their democracy and sovereignty (Chomsky et al, 2002; Dunbar‐Ortiz, 2014), culminating in millions being forced into migration to flee destitute living conditions. As they arrive at the border, their difficulties are compounded by the anti‐migrant conditions and xenophobic attitudes (Saleem et al, 2020). The immigrant communities and transnational borderlands bear a tremendous toll from decades‐long anti‐immigrant policies in the United States (Brabeck et al, 2014; Chacon, 2011).…”