Latino Women and their Migrations to America

Latino Women and their Migrations to America
Motivations to Migrate
Many factors influence women and their choices to move to the United States.
- Many theories, like the social capital theory of immigration, explain that immigrants aim to create new networks and improve their economic status (Berkley article citation).
- (Latino decisions link) explains that latino women's primary factor to immigrate revolves around supporting or reuniting their family. Women are also less likely to come to the US alone, usually bringing children or other family members along with them.
- A recent LA times article explains a new motivation to immigrate from Central American Countries- escaping violence.
Health of Latino Women Immigrants
Focus: health side effects of immigration such as lack of access to medical care, low rates of chronic disease, and dietary shifts. Here, we will discuss the latino health paradox and what it implies about the transition hispanic women face when moving to the United States.
- (MPI site) Enrollment of Mexican immigrant women in U.S. public health programs is at a low level—15 percent in 2012.
- immigrant paradox—"the idea that these women enjoy a better state of health overall than might be expected, given their socioeconomic status and very limited health insurance coverage in the United States".
- Undocumented immigrants do not have access to health care. (women's health) Women immigrants are struggling with diseases such as tuberculosis, hep b...
In the Workforce
Discussing Latina women and their relationship with the American workforce allows us to analyze what exactly the opportunity of immigration represents. This section will explore the motives and means Latina women experience in their transition to working in the United States labor force.
-IWPR link: immigrant women’s increasing presence in the Am workforce. (program also aimed at the needs of immigrant women in domestic labor.)
-However, Mexican women immigrants are still restricted in the american workforce. They are less likely to obtain high-paying, non-domestic jobs.
Family
In this section of the entry, we will create a sense of domestic life and struggles for Latina women. Often times, issues arise as a result of Latina women lacking the security of permanent residency within the United States. This section will utilize both statistical and anecdotal evidence to help illustrate a sense of the more typical problems Latino families face.
- Latino LGBT immigrants face the same struggles of coming out to ones family and finding acceptance within their community. These struggles also serve as a motivation of immigration.
- Latina women immigrants face domestic violence and abuse. (Social work link) explains the necessity for better care aimed toward their family-oriented values, as well as better programs specific toward their immigrant status.
-Anecdotal evidence
Education
This section will feature a review of how Latina women access education when transitioning into the United States. Using sources that feature information of Latino education as a whole will allow us to compare and contrast both the means and ends of Latina women in school. This section will focus on how the US educational system's approach to Latina education often excludes them and perpetuates inequality. As part of this discussion, we will discuss Latina protests regarding US education.
Social and Human Rights Issues
While Latina women do face many issues in immigrating into the United States, perhaps the most significant issues revolve around basic human rights. All to often, illegal Latina immigrants are unable to avoid human abuse because of lack of protection from the law. As a result, Latinas endure a severely unequal migratory experience when compared to their male counterparts.
-The issue of human trafficking has become an issue specifically in immigrant latino women. (ACLU) In the US, the average immigrant victim is around 20 years old, with many factors making them vulnerable to this issue. (factors including limited English speaking ability, lower education level...)
Immigrant Culture the US
Immigrants have influenced popular culture in the United States by sharing their traditions, music, art, and more.
-USCCB states latino immigrants influence the US's concept of the church.
-Art has been inspired by the many struggles of immigration.

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