The Marriage Myth: How Cultural Narratives Shape Undocumented Latina/o Young Adults’ Approaches to Marriage

• In Event: 498 - Regular Session. Immigrant Families and Communities: Challenges and Changes

Abstract

This paper examines how cultural narratives about marriage as a pathway to legalization shapes undocumented young adults participation and feelings about dating and marriage. U.S. immigration law allows U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents to petition for legal status for their undocumented immigrant spouses. This legal reality has given rise to a “marriage myth” which suggests that (1) it is easy to legalize one’s status via marriage, and (2) all undocumented young adults are motivated to legalize their status through marriage to a citizen partner. Drawing on the experiences of 124 Latina/o undocumented and recently legalized young adults, I find that this cultural narrative shapes undocumented young adults’ approaches to dating and their marriage experiences. As a result, undocumented young adults must negotiate this marriage myth, and the judgment it generates from friends and family members, when deciding to initiate a relationship, end a relationship, or propose marriage. This has consequences for the social incorporation of undocumented young adults.

Author

• Laura E. Enriquez, University of California-Los Angeles