Research

How older undocumented immigrants grapple with the fear of transnational death before it impacts them, how individuals mourn from afar when people they love and rely on in their communities of origin die, and how transnational families are impacted by the death of one of their members.

Labor laws relegate unauthorized immigrants to low-paying jobs during their working years, while other laws exclude unauthorized immigrants from accessing safety-net institutions.

As border walls grow, security tightens, and arrests climb for undocumented migrants crossing the Mexico-U.S. border, physical visits have become increasingly difficult for families living on both sides. How do families separated by a border they cannot cross use technology to maintain relationships?

Unable to adjust their immigration status, unauthorized immigrants may choose –– or be forced –– to return to their communities of origin. Regardless of the reason for their return, the departure of older migrants disrupts their lives as well as the lives of their families, reducing their ability to give and receive care. Return migration also transforms familial roles, especially for U.S. citizen grandchildren who often begin to travel alone to visit their grandparents because they are the only members of their families who can cross the U.S.–Mexico border legally.

Interviews can be a powerful tool for ensuring participants understand what we are studying, setting clearer boundaries, and creating space for participants to shape our research agendas.