Tell us about your research project and why it is important to you.
In Mexico, there are two types of detention centers for migrants and refugees. For adults, there are the so-called migration stations, and for children and adolescents there are "shelters," which are facilities specifically created for this population. Very little is known about the inner workings of the latter. Those shelters did not exist 9 years ago, even though Mexico has been detaining migrants and refugees for more than 45 years. My research project will analyze the inner workings of these shelters and will focus mainly on the people who are responsible for administrating them—their daily experiences, their interpretation and enforcement of the law, and the type of social relationships they establish with girls, boys, and adolescents who are detained in these shelters. This research does not come out of nowhere; it is actually a deepening of my experience in the topic of migration. I also worked for a short time in these shelters, which makes it very personal.
Have you presented or published your research somewhere? Tell us about the experience.
I have presented this project at some conferences, such as the Race, Ethnicity and Place (REP) conference in 2018 and the Association of Latin American Studies (LASA) congress in 2019. It has been very gratifying to present and receive comments from teachers, students and the general public, especially since it has allowed me to reflect on the importance and social reach of my research. In addition, it is quite a challenge to communicate ideas that have logic on paper but that are presented orally to a much wider audience.
What would you say is something interesting about your area of study that most people do not know?
I think something interesting about my research is that it seeks to understand the ways in which state workers interpret and execute the laws. When we talk about the state, the government, the bureaucrats, we talk about them as if they were all the same, as if they were machines that blindly obey. However, the poor working conditions, the specific institutional culture of the places where they work, and the personal stories of workers fundamentally determine the quality of service they provide.
Tell us about your academic or professional collaborations with Mexico.
The study of international migration in Mexico is carried out by many groups—local NGOs, academia, international organizations, the Mexican government, even governments at the continental level. Before coming to UT Austin, I was able to establish a network of contacts in many of these institutions and to be informed about the issue of migration in a country as large and complex as Mexico. I am especially close with local NGOs and some researchers who have been working on the subject for many years, so my research is somewhat collaborative with these organizations because I continuously participate in information campaigns on the human rights of migrants and refugees and academic research on the theme in the region. In fact, my research arises from the need for these two groups to learn much more about the shelters for detained girls, boys, and adolescents.
What attracted you to Texas and UT?
Just over 10 years ago, in February 2010, I came to UT Austin to participate in the oldest and largest student-organized conference on Latin American studies. Back then, I was an undergraduate student and it was the first time I was presenting at a conference. I was surprised by the organization, the diversity of people and themes, as well as the relaxed, supportive and critical atmosphere that was fostered. I knew immediately that one day I wanted to study here. Additionally, the Institute for Latin American Studies is considered the best in the United States and has the largest library on Latin America. The city was also very similar to Chiapas—there were many trees, young people and a very welcoming environment for students.
What have been some good things you didn't expect from Texas or UT?
Besides Austin, I knew nothing of Texas. I did not expect the beautiful landscapes and lush vegetation. Basically, I expected a big desert and nothing else. I was equally surprised by the huge difference between one area and another in accents and style of clothing. Texas is like a very large country. From UT, I think I did not expect the passion with which some topics are treated, such as racism. That is not something new in Mexico, but at UT Austin, and I think that in the United States in general, that is THE subject. It is something that you do not fully appreciate until you study and live here. I have learned professional and personal lessons that I expected but was not prepared for, so it was a pleasant surprise.
What have been the biggest challenges of studying at UT and living in the United States?
The diversity of thoughts and experiences in UT and the United States is so great that it is sometimes difficult to reconcile my old way of life and the new context in which I now live. The way of speaking, the tone, the specific words used for many subjects, including body gestures, can have many interpretations and sometimes it is very difficult for communication to be effective. Language is also a very big challenge. I did not study in bilingual schools and started studying English shortly before arriving at UT Austin, so it has been a challenge to express everything I think in the classrooms and establish friendly relations with people who do not speak Spanish.
How has the support of ConTex and CONACYT impacted you?
Institutional support is very important to focus on my project and studies. The economic security and stability that ConTex and CONACyT have given me have been essential for me to advance in the doctoral program and collaborate through many academic experiences that would not have been possible otherwise. When you talk to people from other countries, especially from Latin America, you realize that the financing and support of ConTex and CONACyT is rare and provides unique opportunities for professional growth.
What kind of work do you hope to do in the future? How do you hope your research will benefit people in the United States and Mexico?
The immigration issue in Mexico is inevitably linked to the United States in many ways. It is such an important topic within the political, economic, and cultural agenda that all decisions made in one country have effects in the other. My research on migration policy in Mexico has repercussions at the regional level, since understanding how it is planned and executed can help improve the way in which the human rights of people migrating to Mexico and the United States are guaranteed and foster conditions to maximize the contributions of migrants in both countries. I hope to continue my academic career in the future, to continue investigating the migration issue in Central America, in Mexico, and in the United States. However, due to the profile of the topic that I research, I can also contribute to the work of local and international NGOs and the government itself.
What advice would you give to other Mexican students considering studying in Texas?
I would tell them that their knowledge and experiences are very valuable—they should not be afraid to share them. I would recommend that they come prepared to debate, listen, and learn.
