Search

In this article I show the variety of perspectives that migrants in Mexico adopt toward detention, a procedure that criminalizes undocumented migration and justifies violence against migrants. Based on interviews, freedom of information requests, and case studies, I argue that migrants oscillate and sometimes stay in the middle between two contrasting positions about detention: resignation and resistance. While those in the resignation group accept the notion that they have committed a crime and deserve to be detained, those in the resistance group refuse to be regarded as criminals and question the existence of detention. I show how frequently migrant illegality is created and reinforced even among migrant populations. I also illustrate how many migrants make persuasive arguments against the violent border control policies that they experience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of EconoQuantum is the property of Universidad de Guadalajara, Centro Universitario de Ciencias Economico Administrativas and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)