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Chapter 4:Settling in: Illegality and the U.S Color Line
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Chapter 4:Settling in: Illegality and the U.S Color Line
Individuals who occupy a morally ambiguous zone between legality and criminality are said to
be in a "legal liminal state," or liminality. In the context of immigration, this idea is especially
relevant for individuals who may already be in the United States. Research done by
Zamora(2022) in chapter 3 have identified a phenomenon known as "legal liminality" that
immigrants go through when they move to a new nation, and it is exemplified by Carla's
daughter Cindy's experience of being undocumented. Carla became a U.S. citizen, but she is
devastated by her daughter's illegal status and the difficulties she faces as a result of it. Carla's
daughter tried and failed to get legal status in the United States despite being brought here as a
child.
In chapter 4 of the article, racialization is seen through a relational framework, wherein the
formation of "group-based racial constructions" occurs in connection to whiteness and other
marginalised groups. The concept of "illegality as a master status" is manifest in the discussion,
emphasizing how migrants at the Mexico-U.S. border are effectively branded with an inferior
racial and legal status. This master status is shaped by a complex interplay of racial ideologies
and practices originating in both Mexico and the U.S.(Zamora,2022).
Immigrants approaching or navigating the Mexico-U.S. border, encounter discrimination not
only based on their national origin but also due to the racialized illegality associated with their
migration status. Discrimination is woven into the broader context of racial hierarchies, global
media influences, and the complex interplay of racial ideologies between Mexico and the U.S.
This experience of discrimination is not only an individual struggle but also a collective one,
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shaped by societal perceptions and systemic structures that affect immigrants' lives and prospects
in the United States.
After relocating all over the United States, many immigrants have close links to their original
communities through associations and churches, continuing to send money home to support
family and friends and attend traditional celebrations as seen in chapter 4 of the article.The
Immigrants initially settle in ethnic enclaves for perceived benefits, such as easier
communication in their native language and a sense of familiarity through ethnic businesses. For
example, Isabel's fear of not speaking English diminishes in a neighborhood dominated by
Spanish-speaking Latinos.Migrants encounter difficulties maneuvering through ethnoracial
complexities, yet the existence of cultural enterprises, accustomed languages, and fellow ethnics
offers solace. In the face of adversities, migrants showcase tenacity and a readiness to confront
prevailing stories when afforded the chance to broaden their social connections.
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Reference
Zamora, Sylvia. Racial Baggage: Mexican Immigrants and Race Across the Border. Stanford University
Press, 2022.
