Exploitation of the undocumented : the lack of agency and capital amongst undocumented Brazilian immigrants, 2015

Item — Call Number: MU Thesis Viv

Identifier: b7607897

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

From the Collection:

The collection consists of theses written by students enrolled in the Monmouth University graduate Anthropology program. The holdings are primarily bound print documents that were submitted in partial fulfillment of university requirements for the Master of Arts degree.

From the Collection:

During the fall 2022 semester (in instances where the requisite waivers were received from consenting student authors), the Monmouth University Library, together with the University's Graduate School and Wayne D. McMurray School of Humanities and Social Sciences, began providing open access to select full-text digital versions of current theses and dissertations through links to the ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global website in the Library's Online Public Access Catalog. Links to these open access digital publications can also be found in the "External Documents" section under any conforming titles that are listed among the holdings itemized in the collection inventory for this finding aid.

Dates

Creation: 2015

Creator

Vivona, Christin (1989- ) (Author, Person)
Bludau, Heidi L., 1972- (Thesis advisor, Person)
González-Tennant, Edward (Thesis advisor, Person)

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research use. Access is by appointment only.

Access to the collection is confined to the Monmouth University Library and is subject to patron policies approved by the Monmouth University Library.

Collection holdings may not be borrowed through interlibrary loan.

Research appointments are scheduled by the Monmouth University Library Archives Collections Manager (723-923-4526). A minimum of three days advance notice is required to arrange a research appointment for access to the collection.

Patrons must complete a Researcher Registration Form and provide appropriate identification to gain access to the collection holdings. Copies of these documents will be kept on file at the Monmouth University Library.

Extent

1 Items (print book) : 124 pages ; 8.5 x 11.0 inches (28 cm).

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Brazilian immigrants in Saint Christopher, United States suffer various obstacles to their success. The first comes when the migrant realizes that he is ineligible to legally live permanently and work in Saint Christopher. This is where he first loses his agency. Although this agency is regained through the process of illegal immigration, it is again threatened by exploitation and discrimination within the United States. Some mistreatment comes from American business owners, landlords, and authoritative figures. However, the majority of the exploitation exists within the Brazilian community itself. Migrants with a legal immigration status, high socio-economic standing, or English skills and social connections are most likely to take advantage of the newly arrived or uneducated migrants who depend on the established members of the community for help. Migration is a constantly growing, ever-changing process that has evolved even during the course of this research. This thesis is a glimpse into the Brazilian immigrant community of Saint Christopher during a two-year period, marked by increased political and social tensions due to undocumented immigration.

Partial Contents

Abstract -- 1. The start of a project: meeting Saint Christopher and the migrants -- 2. The history of migration: how did we get here? -- 3. What are the options: how agency appears in the migration process -- 4. Exploitation and Brazilian migrants: how immigration status feeds structural violence -- 5. Ethnic identity and exploitation: how the Brazilian community divides itself -- 6. This thesis and beyond: engaged anthropology and my future work -- List of references.