Vulnerability to Deportation and the Impact on Immigrants and Their Communities

• In Event: Latin@ Criminology Panel 2: Victimization and Vulnerabilities of Latinos and Immigrants

Abstract

The literature on immigrant assimilation and incorporation is plentiful. A basic literature review will produce abundant scholarship on immigration assimilation and incorporation and those factors which effect these, including (but not limited to) comparisons between first and subsequent generations, the role of gender, ethnic indemnity, and academic achievement. This presentation will present a qualitative study on the vulnerability to deportation and the impact the fear of deportation has on community integration and incorporation. Based upon interviews conducted for my dissertation where fear of deportation was specifically examined, I will discuss how the fear of deportation has had meaningful and intense negative behavioral and psychological effects on immigrants, including feelings of isolation and being unwanted. The impact deportability has on the lives of immigrants are not just concerning from a community concern, but also public health reasons, as many participants recounted instances of depression and anxiety, and in some cases thoughts of suicide.

Author

• Shirley Leyro, Borough of Manhattan Community College