Doctoral Dissertation Research: Challenges in Central American Migrant Communities

Peter Katzenstein Noelle Brigden康奈尔大学博士论文研究：中美洲移民社区的挑战摘要一些学术研究已经调查了边境非法移民面临的危险。但边境地区只是中美洲移民漫长而危险旅程的一部分，他们在穿越墨西哥的秘密路线上面临着越来越多的犯罪暴力。与此同时，美国和墨西哥加强了边境巡逻。这些新的移民执法策略的目标是跨越民族国家的移民系统的动脉，而不仅仅是他们的边界。在这些移民路线上，移民执法改变了移民做法，但并没有根除助长无证移民的非正式机构和做法。本论文研究分析了加强警务如何改变移民实践，以及它如何影响通过墨西哥到美国的中美洲路线上的移民。为此，这项研究包括在美国进行的人种学访谈、地图制作研讨会，以及对中美洲移民在其旅程的不同阶段进行的参与性观察。更广泛的影响公众对移民改革表现出极大的兴趣，既包括减少无证移民的到来的努力，也包括使移民过程更加人性化的努力。边境管制和警务机制有意和无意的后果引发了相当多的公众辩论。本研究旨在告知我们如何平衡国家安全的需要与确保派遣国社会和政治稳定的需要以及移民的安全和福利（包括限制他们遭受暴力和剥削）。

SES-1128888 Peter Katzenstein Noelle Brigden Cornell University Doctoral Dissertation Research: Challenges in Central American Migrant CommunitiesAbstractSeveral academic studies have examined the dangers facing unauthorized migrants at the borders. But the border zone represents only one segment of a long and dangerous journey for Central American migrants, who face increasing criminal violence along clandestine routes through Mexico. Meanwhile, internal policing within the United States and Mexico augments border patrol. These new immigration enforcement strategies target the arteries of the migration system crisscrossing nation-states, not just their frontiers. Along these migratory routes, immigration enforcement has transformed migration practices, but it has not eradicated the informal institutions and practices that facilitate undocumented migration. This dissertation research analyzes how intensified policing transforms migration practices, and how it affects migrants along the Central American routes through Mexico to the United States. To this end, the study involves U.S.-based ethnographic interviews, mapmaking workshops, and participant observation with Central American migrants at various stages in their journeys. Broader ImpactsThe public has shown great interest in immigration reform, both efforts to curtail the arrival of undocumented migrants, as well as efforts to make the process of migration more humane. The intended and unintended consequences of border control and policing mechanisms has sparked considerable public debate. This study seeks to inform our understanding of how to balance the need for national security with the need to ensure social and political stability in sending countries as well as the safety and welfare of migrants (including limiting their exposure to violence and exploitation).