This article discusses the criminalization of Latina immigrants through the social control of law, the justice system and the immigration industrial complex. The article examines the social control mechanisms of detention facilities and “Alternative to Detention Programs” (ATD programs) rather than focusing on deportation and the consequences that brings to families and communities. The article interviews eleven immigration lawyers who have dealt with women who have been detained and placed into the ATD programs. The article also dives into the meaning of “motherhood” and “family” for these women placed in ATD programs. A further examination leads to the physical, sexual violence and mistreatment reproduced by the immigration system today.
This article made me think of week we covered in class regarding Detention, Legality Illegality and Mass Incarceration. As we learned, the justice system isn’t kind to immigrant people, refugees, asylum seekers etc. and reading this article reaffirmed how broken the system is. I chose to read this article because I was very interested in learning more about the immigration system and how it also relates to the justice system. I was shocked to hear about the unfair treatment and wanted to dive deeper into alternate forms of detention while waiting asylum. I think it’s important to take these issues to light in order to hopefully change the conditions and abuse that goes unrecognized.
Keywords: latina immigrant, detention, social control
Author: Purple
Comments