Sojourners from Central America: A Study of Contemporary Migrants & Migration from Guatemala to the United States

Abstract

Guatemalan migrants have settled in the United States in increasing numbers in search of economic, political, and social stability. In the 21st century, the number of migrants from Guatemala to the US has reached an all-time high due to increased gang-related violence in Central America; at the same time, the United States has become increasingly aggressive in policing its border and removing undocumented immigrants from its territory. This senior thesis uses a sociological lens to explore and analyze the lived experiences of Guatemalan migrants, particularly deported Guatemalans. Sojourners is presented in an order that mirrors many migrants’ exodus: departure from Guatemala, travel through Mexico, followed by arrival to– and ultimately, deportation from– the United States. Sojourners portrays migration from Guatemala as an intensely personal decision that is motivated and mediated by distinct sociological factors including social ties, a desire for safety and security, and economic pressures.