ILLEGALIZED: Rafael Martinez on Undocumented Youth Movements

Writer's Voice with Francesca Rheannon

Rafael A. Martinez discusses the lived experiences of undocumented youth in America. He’s Assistant Professor of Southwest Borderlands at Arizona State University and author of Illegalized: Undocumented Youth Movements in the United States.

He details how activism and organizing led to gains such as in-state tuition and DACA, but also the precariousness of these advancements under changing political climates.

Martinez emphasizes the resilience and creativity of undocumented communities in navigating systemic challenges, while acknowledging the significant mental and physical health consequences of living under constant threat of deportation.

His experiences underscore the systemic nature of immigration issues and the interconnectedness of undocumented immigrants’ lives with the broader U.S. society. The interview concludes with a call to action, encouraging listeners to engage with local organizations supporting immigrant rights.

“Immigration isn’t a broken system; it’s working as designed—to exploit and marginalize immigrant communities.” — Rafael Martinez

We also play an edited version of one of our ten favorite episodes of 2024 — our conversation with Eric Klinenberg about his book 2020.

Check Out our List of the Ten Best WV Episodes of 2024!

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Keywords: Rafael A. Martinez, Illegalized book, undocumented youth, immigrant rights movements, DACA, U.S. immigration policy, private detention centers, border militarization, immigrant activism history.

Key Topics

• Martinez’s personal journey as an undocumented youth and eventual DACA recipient
• The daily impact of illegality on undocumented youth, from limited mobility to educational barriers
• The origins and evolution of undocumented youth activism, including the rise of civil disobedience
• The influence of historical movements, such as the sanctuary and civil rights movements, on immigrant organizing
• Systemic critiques of U.S. immigration policy, private detention centers, and economic exploitation
• The concept of resilience as both a survival strategy and a double-edged sword

Read An Excerpt from Illegalized

A Lookback at the book 2020

As we go into 2025, it might be a good idea to take a look back at one of the most consequential years in American history, 2020. It just might have been the year Americans lost faith in their government, with consequences we continue to experience.

That’s what sociologist Eric Klinenberg told us when we spoke with him back in May of 2024 about his acclaimed book, 2020: One City, Seven People, And The Year Everything Changed.

Through the stories of seven New Yorkers—a transit worker, a bar owner, a mutual aid organizer, and more—Klinenberg reveals how citizens stepped up when institutions failed during the pandemic, protests, and economic upheaval.

It’s a lesson we would do well to remember as we enter an era when the incoming administration is hell-bent on shredding whatever is left of the federal government’s capacity to serve our needs.