Migranthood

More about the book

This work chronicles deportation through the eyes of Indigenous youth migrating unaccompanied from Guatemala to Mexico and the U.S. Young people recount their experiences in various contexts: their communities in Guatemala, transit zones in Mexico, U.S. detention centers, and facilities in Guatemala for returned children. They reveal how they navigate everyday violence and discrimination, prioritize limited resources, and maintain relationships over time and distance. Anthropologist Lauren Heidbrink emphasizes that these youth, often viewed merely as objects of policy, actively engage with their circumstances rather than passively accept securitization and development interventions. They utilize a rich array of social, cultural, and political assets to manage precarity and marginality, including transnational kinship, social networks, and financial institutions. By focusing on their perspectives, we gain insight into their vital roles in household economies and local practices, as well as their impact on global processes. The experiences shared highlight the transnational consequences of securitized migration management and development on individuals and families, transcending space, citizenship status, and generation. These insights also contribute to child protection and human rights discussions at both local and international levels.