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Undocumented Latino Youth: Migration Experiences and the Challenges of Integrating into American Society

Author

Listed:
  • Frank Anthony Rodriguez

    (North Carolina Central University)

  • Marika Dawkins

    (The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Edinburg Campus)

Abstract

This descriptive qualitative study explored the challenges that undocumented and unaccompanied Latino youth face in their migration and their attempt to integrate into American society after crossing the US–Mexican border. In-depth interviews were conducted with undocumented and unaccompanied Latino youth in Texas. Data were analyzed for patterns and themes. The findings indicate that youth are more prone to personal failures across several domains, which can lead to a life of crime. The descriptions are categorized under themes that correlate to familial makeup, migration and border crossing experiences, and experiences as unaccompanied and undocumented youth living on the US–Mexican border. These results help to contextualize the immigration debate as related to undocumented Latino youth and crime. They indicate that most of the undocumented Latino youth were victims of crimes more so than perpetrators of crime. Their victimizations included exposure to pervasive violence and other challenges that made realizing their full potential difficult.

Suggested Citation

  • Frank Anthony Rodriguez & Marika Dawkins, 2017. "Undocumented Latino Youth: Migration Experiences and the Challenges of Integrating into American Society," Journal of International Migration and Integration, Springer, vol. 18(2), pages 419-438, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:joimai:v:18:y:2017:i:2:d:10.1007_s12134-016-0484-y
    DOI: 10.1007/s12134-016-0484-y
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. George J. Borjas, 1994. "The Economics of Immigration," Journal of Economic Literature, American Economic Association, vol. 32(4), pages 1667-1717, December.
    2. Dettlaff, Alan J. & Earner, Ilze & Phillips, Susan D., 2009. "Latino children of immigrants in the child welfare system: Prevalence, characteristics, and risk," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 31(7), pages 775-783, July.
    3. Krista Perreira & Kathleen Harris & Dohoon Lee, 2006. "Making it in America: High school completion by immigrant and native youth," Demography, Springer;Population Association of America (PAA), vol. 43(3), pages 511-536, August.
    4. Roel Jennissen, 2007. "Causality Chains in the International Migration Systems Approach," Population Research and Policy Review, Springer;Southern Demographic Association (SDA), vol. 26(4), pages 411-436, August.
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    Cited by:

    1. Rebecca L. Thomas & Grace Felten & Lisa Yagaloff & Marine Yarmaloyan, 2020. "Returning Home: the Experiences of Resettlement for Syrian-Armenian Refugees into Armenia," Journal of International Migration and Integration, Springer, vol. 21(2), pages 469-484, June.

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