Conference Proposal (Theme: Queer Immigration)

 The Dangers of Being a Transgender* Woman Immigrant

February 2019

Transgender woman immigrations face a high rate of persecution in being deported back to their home country. There are various stories that prove transgender women in countries like El Salvador are beaten and raped upon their deportation back home. One of those women, Johanna Vasquez, admitted to returning to the United States within minutes of arriving back in El Salvador upon deportation (Ngo 2018). Stories like these are backed by recent research into the matter. 

In 2016, research on depression in Latina men and transgender women found that Latina men and transgender women have a higher rate of being ethnically or racially discriminated against in addition to being sexually discriminated against (Sun, et al. 2016). Similarly, in Washington, DC, undocumented Latina transgender women were “significantly more likely to experience employment discrimination, recent unstable housing, and fear of deportation” (Yamanis et al. 2018). In New York City, it was discovered that with social support, alternative kinship structures and resilience, trans* women improve their health (Hwang et al. 2018). Despite the statistics, with the right interventions, trans* women immigrants can enjoy their lives and thrive as who they are and where they come from.

Further research on the topic at hand is needed. There are limitations on every study listed. They were all small studies. Most of them were done in specific cities, which are not representative of the transgender woman immigrant population as a whole. These studies show that further interventions are needed to protect trans* women immigrants from the threats and risks that are posed to them. 

 

Works Cited

Hwang, Sej J., et al. “Alternative Kinship Structures, Resilience and Social Support among                         Immigrant Trans Latinas in the USA.” Taylor and Francis Online, Culture, Health & Sexuality, 16 Apr. 2018, www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/13691058.2018.1440323.

Ngo, Binh X. “Women and LGBTQ Deportees Face Compounded Dangers Upon Return.” Center for American Progress, Center for American Progress, 10 Aug. 2018, www.americanprogress.org/issues/immigration/news/2018/08/10/454637/women-lgbtq-deportees-            face-compounded-dangers-upon-return/.

Sun, Christina J., et al. “Depressive Symptoms among Latino Sexual Minority Men and Latina         Transgender Women in a New Settlement State: The Role of Perceived Discrimination.” Depression         Research and Treatment, Hindawi, 17 Aug. 2016, www.hindawi.com/journals/drt/2016/4972854/abs/.

Yamanis, Thespina, et al. “Legal Immigration Status Is Associated with Depressive Symptoms         among Latina Transgender Women in Washington, DC.” MDPI, International Journal of             Environmental Research and Public Health, 12 June 2018, www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/15/6/1246. 

Human Rights Watch 

US Transgender Women Abused in Detention 

Statistics on transgender suicide and life expectancy for immigrants