Eleanor Falahee
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
UROP Fellowship: Women and Gender Summer Fellowship Program
Research Mentor(s): William Lopez, PhD, MPH, Zachary Reese, PhD Candidate
School of Public Health
Presentation Date: Tuesday, July 28, 2020 | Session 1 | Presenter: 6
Authors: Eleanor Falahee, Katherine Collins, Nicole Novak, William Lopez
Abstract
Background: Research shows that immigration raids have health implications for detained immigrants, their families and their communities. Previous research has identified the role of gender in immigration enforcement, but there has been little examination of gendered impacts of large-scale immigration raids. We conducted a community-engaged study of six worksite raids to understand the health implications and strategize responses. A prior study analyzed data from the first three worksite raids, while this project focuses on the next two sites.
Methods: We identified community partners in six rural U.S. communities with large worksite immigration raids in 2018. Through community partners and snowball sampling, we invited adults involved in raid response to participate in a semi-structured interview conducted in either English or Spanish. Participants (n=77) came from four primary sectors: faith, advocacy, education, and law. Interviews were transcribed and analyzed using constant comparison. Data was coded into the following three categories when applicable: Family Separation, Family Reorganization, and Gendered Impacts.
Results: Gendered impacts include nuclear family separation. In most raid sites, participants described male heads of household being detained while female partners and children were left behind. The loss of the provider decreased family stability both financially and emotionally, negatively impacting the mental health of the women and children. In sites where women––including pregnant and breastfeeding women––were detained, other family members shifted roles to supplement income and provide childcare. Additionally, some of these women suffered physical health complications, including difficulty breastfeeding or even miscarriage. Fear of accessing services such as food pantries may exacerbate the health implications of these raids.
Discussion: This study offers additional insight into the intersection of gender, raids and health in rural mixed-status communities. Findings suggest an increased need for social services to support families affected by immigration enforcement tactics, as well as policy changes to end family separation.
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Presentation Script
Research Disciplines
Health Sciences, Public Health
