The following is a reflection written by Fernanda Villanueva, who is co-facilitating the solidarity group as part of her social work practicum at the University of Toronto. The Solidarity Group was initiated by one of the community members advising the Migrant Mothers Project, who lives with precarious status in Canada. This community member worked closely with project staff to design a support group for Spanish speaking women with precarious immigration status in Toronto, which is based on principles of empowerment and solidarity building. The group is co-sponsored by the Migrant Mothers Project and a feminist and anti-oppression community-based organization working with survivors of violence in Toronto (we don’t include the name of the organization, towards preserving safety for women involved in the group). The group meets once a week at a community centre where women prepare a meal and eat dinner together, then exchange knowledge and strategies related to immigration policy, parenting, health and self-care. Women involved in the group were consulted and gave their consent prior to posting this reflection.
When I first heard that I would be participating as a co-facilitator in the solidarity group, my main goal was to focus on the women and how to best support them. I knew that many of them had children, but as often occurs when working solely with women, the children remain voiceless, as the women’s needs are the primary concern. However, having many conversations with the women in the solidarity group and having them share stories about their children, I have realized that their children’s concerns are just as real and frightening as their mothers. I have noticed that many of the “children” these mother’s speak of are actually adolescents whose goals have remained derailed due to their precarious status.
In this article titled, “Learning to be illegal”, Sociologist Roberto Gonzales (2011) notes that around the age of 16, many youths begin to understand their illegality as they cannot participate in the same activities as other classmates who are citizens of the country. Working with the women, I have heard many of them share such stories with myself and with the other women in the group. I have heard women describe how disappointed their children are that they cannot do the “regular” activities that their classmates can do, as a result of their precarious status and the imminent fear of deportation. One youth did not want to start his high school placement since he was certain he would be deported before his placement ended. Another youth, despite getting into University and getting a scholarship, cannot go due to the high costs of education and also due to the fear of being deported. As well, the fear of being caught by an immigration officer on their way to school is a fear that has kept many youths from attending classes, which has left them having to suffer the consequences as a result.
Many parents have noted a shift in their children’s personalities since their refugee claims were denied. Women in the solidarity group describe how their children cry frequently, have experienced lowered mood levels, have become emotionally distant and appear to be hopeless about their futures. Many have given up activities that they previously enjoyed, no longer seek out new experiences, and they are saddened by the ones that they have, as an end always seems near. Therefore, despite the well outlined path in Erik Erickson’s theory of development, many of these youths will not be able to transition as neatly into adulthood as they should. Although adolescents is a period where identify formation is taking place and youths are creating their own roles in society, many youths with precarious status are unable to do so. This is reinforced by the fact that their identities are tied to their precarious status, which is directly tied to the precarious status of their mothers. Moreover, many of the mothers in the solidarity group appear to be aware of this link, as they often mention: “I will do all I can for my children” as though they know that their dedication in attaining their immigration papers will ultimately impact their children’s lives.
During the time of the solidarity group, two women were given deportation dates for themselves and their children. This resulted in a great deal of stress for the women and also for myself as the inability to help is so real and painful. Quickly, these women mobilized and were able to extend their deportation dates for the sheer reason that the deportation dates would not allow their children to graduate high school. Thankfully, both women were granted extensions, but I can only imagine the pain and sadness that their children are going through. Yes, they will be given the opportunity to finish high school but there will be no reward for them for achieving this, as the possibility of being deported, should their mothers not find other solutions, is real and possible. Therefore, how can these adolescents develop into healthy and vibrant adults, when every day that passes seems to bring them closer to ending their future plans in Canada.
Being the youngest member of the solidarity group and perhaps being closer in age to the women’s children than the women themselves, I struggle with my inability to provide more support to the women and their children and also a strong awareness of my privilege that is directly tied to feelings of guilt. As always, I wish I could do more. I wish I could advocate more for these incredibly resilient mothers and their children. I wish I could provide them and their children with more emotional support. I wish I could challenge these conservative policies that have the ability to destroy the futures of these youths, as they completely neglect the human rights of these women and adolescents. At the same time, I feel incredibly guilty for being a Canadian Citizen, for having access to employment, for being privileged enough attend University, among others. My awareness of these facts is so much that I try not to bring them into conversation, as I do not wish to remind these women of the rights that their children do not have, which are the same rights that these women are fighting so hard for their children to attain.
Although I connect with these women, I try to relate to them on their own terms, trying to be conscious of my privileges, the same ones that these women are fighting so hard for their children to attain.
~ FV