Crossing the Border to Find Home: Examining the Reunification Experiences of Undocumented Immigrant Youth

Background and Purpose: One-fifth of the nation's youth are growing up in immigrant families. For many immigrants, especially those from Mexico and Central America, it is common for families to become separated for extended periods as parents migrate to the United States with children following later. While research has examined the impact of separation on young children, little if any research has examined the reunification processes of transnational immigrant adolescents; a common developmental period in which youth reunify with their families. In order to better understand how these youth adjust to their new lives in the U.S., this study examines how immigrant youth adapted to their new families and communities upon their arrival in the U.S., focusing specifically on the reunification period and adaptational challenges within these youth’s homes, schools, and communities.

Methods: In-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted with ten undocumented immigrant youth in Los Angeles (five female, five male) who were between 18 to 25 years old, had experienced family separation from their parents, and had reunified with their parents during adolescence in the U.S. Participants were selected via purposive sampling and were identified through study advertisements posted both online and in public spaces frequented by youth (e.g. libraries, community centers). Interview questions focused on their experiences across three domains of psychosocial adjustment: family relations, school, and social relations.  Interviews were transcribed and coded for themes using the data analysis software, ATLAS.ti.

Findings: Transnational immigrant youth experienced varying degrees of family conflict upon reunification, felt a significant amount of loss towards their caregivers back home, and had difficulty adjusting to educational and social relations in the United States. Gender emerged as a significant factor in shaping these youth’s patterns of adjustment. For immigrant female participants, for example, gender functioned as a protective factor, enabling them to fare well academically and experience school as a positive outlet.  For male participants, however, their gender exposed them to experiences such as community violence and gang recruitment. These male participants reported experiencing poor academic outcomes and felt socially isolated.

Conclusion and Implications: In order to assist these youth in successfully adjusting to their new families, schools, and communities, social workers and other practitioners must have a nuanced understanding of how transnational family separation impacts these youth to better serve this population.  Assessments and treatment of immigrant youth and their families should strive to support these youth in dealing with family conflict experienced upon reunification and the loss of beloved family members back in their in home country. Findings also demonstrate the importance of gender-based interventions designed to adequately address the gender-specific needs of these youth. Schools serving immigrant youth should implement programs aimed at helping these youth adjust to their new environment  by providing academic resources, counseling, and programs that foster belonging.