Being a Latinx adolescent under a trump presidency: Analysis of Latinx youth's reactions to immigration politics

• Published in: Children and youth services review 2018-04, Vol.87, p.192-204
• Main Authors: Wray-Lake, Laura, Wells, Rachel, Alvis, Lauren, Delgado, Sandra, Syvertsen, Amy K., Metzger, Aaron
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescents; Anger; Citizen participation; Civic engagement; Consciousness; Contract theory; Deportation; Discrimination; Disgust; Empowerment; Ethnic groups; Ethnicity; Hispanic people; Immigrant youth; Immigrants; Immigration; Immigration policy; Marginality; Mental health; Narratives; Politics; Presidency; Presidential election; Presidential elections; Public administration; Racial discrimination; Racism; Responses; Rhetoric; Rights; Social contract; Social workers; Teachers; Teenagers; Trump, Donald J; Youth
• ISSN: 0190-7409; 1873-7765
• DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2018.02.032

The 2016 presidential election of Donald Trump has ushered in a turbulent time in U.S. history. Given the Trump administration's emphasis on anti-immigrant policies and rhetoric, scholars and practitioners need to better understand how Latinx youth are responding to and affected by the political climate. Using written, open-ended responses from 562 Latinx adolescents from Southern California, the current study documented reactions to Trump's immigration politics. Forty percent of youth articulated views about immigration in their election reactions, and 96% of immigration-related responses were critical of the President's approach. Salient themes identified in immigration-related responses included feeling afraid and/or anxious; expressing anger, contempt, and/or disgust; recognizing and experiencing racism; offering pro-immigrant narratives; and increasing civic engagement. Findings align with social contract theory and suggest that many Latinx youth are feeling marginalized and threatened by government and recognizing injustices in the rights and protections afforded to their racial/ethnic communities. This work can raise awareness among educators and social workers about the tangible consequences of immigration policies and rhetoric for Latinx youth. This sociopolitical moment may also offer opportunities for youth empowerment through civic engagement. •Latinx youth feel marginalized by Trump's immigration policies and rhetoric.•Trump's immigration politics are heightening fear and anxiety among Latinx youth.•Many Latinx youth perceive Trump's immigration policies as racist and unjust.•Some Latinx youth are standing up for injustice in today's political climate.