Transnational Violence Against Asylum-Seeking Women and Children: Honduras and the United States-Mexico Border

Abstract

Corrupt political institutions, lack of resources, and gang violence in Central America fuel the influx of asylum-seeking women and children to the United States (US). Yet, immigrant women and children are still at risk for poor health and violence in the US due to the lack of protection and support. Through a case study of a teenage girl from Honduras living in the US who was murdered by her ex-boyfriend who followed her to the US, we elucidate ways in which the US and Honduras have violated the rights of women and children. As background, we describe the context of US foreign policy towards immigration and the market for illicit drugs; and, in Honduras, the lack of appropriate healthcare, education, and legal protections. We identify human rightsbased solutions to protect the rights of women and children and provide recommendations for improvement for the US government and organizations in Honduras.

Patterns of Adverse Childhood Experiences, Social Problem-Solving, and Mental Health Among Latina Immigrants

“…However, many Latino immigrants have trauma experiences pre-migration that predispose them to depression or anxiety (Montgomery et al, 2014; Perreira & Ornelas, 2013). These experiences include chronic stress related to poverty, as well as exposure to gang-related and political violence (Alberto & Chilton, 2019). Research with Latina immigrants from the Northern Triangle (Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras) revealed high rates of ACE that were associated with poorer mental health and reduced mastery of stress (blinded for review).…”

Latin American refugee youth in the United States: migration-related trauma exposure and implications for policy and practice

“…Case examples . In a case study of three unaccompanied Honduran teenagers, two of the three – brother and sister – fled gang violence and threats that escalated when the sister threatened to break up with her boyfriend – the third teenager – if he did not leave his gang (Alberto and Chilton, 2019). A lack of women’s safety services in Honduras partnered with extreme community violence was cited as the family’s impetus for urging the siblings to flee to the USA.…”

“… All studies referenced in this table included samples that were either entirely or primarily from LA or had a small LA sample with no significant difference between geographic origins. Examples of the experiences described here can be found in the following sources: Bean et al (2007), Alberto and Chilton (2019); Beiser and Hou (2016); Betancourt et al (2012, 2017); Derluyn et al (2009); MSF (2017); McCloskey et al (1995); and Santa-Maria and Cornille (2007)…”

Youth Gang Violence in Honduras

“…As a result, there is a high dropout rate, and dropouts are considered to be extra susceptible to joining a gang (Orlang 2012, p. 635;Perez 2013, p. 229). Remaining in school is not always the safest option either, as schools are often a place where active gang recruitment takes place (Alberto and Chilton 2019;Luitjens 2015). Arce (2014) moreover points out that "gangs rule over most public schools in the capital".…”

“…They are guarding their territorial borders and control every move along the border. Another way to control the neighborhoods' border and to extend gang power is by extorting money from (non-) residents, taxis, or busses that enter the enclosed area (Gutiérrez Rivera 2013, p. 78;Alberto and Chilton 2019). According to Venkatesh (1997, p. 95), this is also a way to obtain a "legitimate status" in the community, where the maras become accepted and are not perceived as an immediate threat.…”