Contents
List of Boxes and Tables
Acknowledgments
1 Introduction
Taking a Critical Human Rights Approach
A Quick Look at the Numbers
Why We Focus on Latinx Undocumented Immigrants
Why Is There So Much Latinx Migration?
Where Is That “Line”?
Can a Person “Get in Line” by Being Sponsored by a
Family Member?
Social Institutions—For All of Us
Chapter Overview
2 The Double-Edged Sword of the Media
Portrait of Magdalena
Myth and Myth Busted
Media Framing of Immigration and Immigrants
Creating a Moral Panic About Immigration
Mixed Messages: Mainstream Media Coverage of Latinxs
The Latinx Disconnect in the Media
Media Stereotypes of Latinx Immigrants and Immigration Fueling Fear
Inventing a Criminological Story
Promoting Hate Speech
Creating Threatening Imagery
Moments of Mainstream Media Resistance
Humane Representations of Immigrants and Immigration
Comics
Television Shows
Documentaries and Feature Films
User-Generated Digital and Social Media
3 Shortchanged—Work and Labor
Portrait of Arturo
Myth and Myth Busted
The Economic Contributions of Unauthorized Immigrants
The Surprising Role of the IRS
Myth and Myth Busted
The Segmented Labor Market and the Myth of Job Displacement
Labor Rights for Undocumented Workers
Agricultural Work: Backbreaking and Essential
Day Laborers: Vulnerable on the Streets
Aging White Americans and Undocumented Workers
Undocumented Women Workers
Reporting Workplace Abuse
Working Children and Youth
Children and Agriculture: Major Loopholes Leading to Inequality
Poultry and Meat Processing: Dangerous Work for Undocumented
Immigrants
North Carolina Hog Workers
Nebraska Meatpackers
Workplace Raids and Deportation
Undocumented Professionals: Smart, Persistent, and Committed to
the Cause
The Role of Visas for Undocumented Workers
“America’s Got Immigrant Talent!”
Proposing a Human-Right-to-Work Framework
4 Educational Dreams and Barriers
Portrait of Erika
Myth and Myth Busted
The (Leaking) Educational Pipeline for Undocumented Students
Financial Barriers and Opportunities
Place Matters: Educational Access Driven by Location
Important Education Legislation
Plyler v. Doe (1982): Guaranteeing Undocumented Children and
Youth Public Education
The Federal DREAM Act: A Not-Yet-Realized Pathway for
Undocumented Youth Dreamer Identity
Dreamer Identity
Becoming DACAmented: Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals
School as a Safe Zone: Protection from Immigration Enforcement
Feeling “In Between”
Returning to the Mexican Educational System Through Deportation
or Necessity
Undocumented Voices for Advocacy
The Importance of Allies
Inspiring Educational Alternatives
Freedom University
University of the People
Becoming an Ally
Including the Original Dreamers in Immigration Reform
5 Freefall with No Safety Net: Health
Portrait of Blanca
Myth and Myth Busted
Myth and Myth Busted
The Emergency Room: The Only Remaining Federal Protection
How States “Do” (or Don’t Do) Health Care for
Undocumented Immigrants
Health Care Approaches of Selected States: New York, California,
and Texas
New York—“Lady Liberty’s Message”
California—“A Ray of Hope”
Texas—High Need, Oppressive Tactics
The Difference a County Makes
The Crucial Role of Community Clinics
Effects of Immigration Policies: Bad for Health
Undocumented Children and Youth
Dental Care: Urgent Need and Few Resources
Creation of a Mental Health Crisis
Mental Health and Youth
Harmful for Health: Raids, Detention, and Deportation
Detention Centers: Troubling Solution, Terrifying Health Effects
Children in Detention: Inflicting More Harm
Doctors’ Moral Compasses and Professional Ethics
6 Legal Issues, Detention, and Deportation
Portraits of Detention and Deportation from the News
Myth and Myth Busted
Crimmigration and the Immigration Industrial Complex
Crimmigration = The Criminalization of Migrants
The Effect of “Free” Trade Agreements
Debunking the Criminal Immigrant Stereotype
Imperfectly Addressing Immigrant Victimization: The U-Visa
and T-Visa
The Scope and Enforcement Methods of Customs and Border
Protection and Immigration and Customs Enforcement
Customs and Border Protection and the 100 Air-Mile Zone
Use of Force Claims Against the CBP
Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Interior Enforcement
Chilling Changes in ICE’s Policies and Enforcement
Apprehensions in Formerly Protected Places and of Formerly
Protected People
Federal Budgeting for Increased Detection, Detention,
and Deportation
An Overview of the Removal Process
Operation Streamline: Moving Immigration Matters to the
Criminal Courts
Separating Families
Detention
The State of Detention Centers
The Financial Benefits of Detention
Deportation
Legal Roots of the Modern Era of Deportation
Deformalized Methods of Deportation
“Deporters in Chief ” and Zero Tolerance
Legal Representation in Deportation Cases
Deportation Hearings in Detention Centers
Veterans and Deportation
7 Resistance and Social Change
Myth and Myth Busted
Myth and Myth Busted
Key Groups Working for Social Change
Strategizing for Change
Flipping the Script: The Use of Frame-Shifting Strategies
Marching for Justice
“Coming Out” Through Testimonios and Truth-Telling
Transgressing Through Civil Disobedience and Direct Action
Sitting-In and Staying Put
Infiltrating Detention Centers
Hunger Striking Against Injustice
Boycotting Consumption and Companies
Creating and Distributing Art
Self-Deporting and Asserting the Right to Entry
Creating Spaces of Sanctuary
8 Conclusion
Recommendations
Media
Work
Education
Health
Legal Issues, Detention, and Deportation
Resistance and Social Movements
The Relevance of Global Migration Patterns
Notes
Bibliography
Index