“Living in Dual Shadows”
By: Crosby Burns
Burns, Crosby, et al. “Living in Dual Shadows.” LGBT Undocumented Report, no. 5, Mar. 2013, pp. 13–17. Center for American Progress.
In this evidence-based report by the Center for American Progress, Burns elaborates on the dual vulnerability of LGBTQ undocumented immigrants. Individuals who are both undocumented immigrants and queer, two undeniably marginalized identities, are forced to face unique and compounded challenges by simply existing. In the chapter “Challenges for LGBTQ Families,” Burns elaborates on specific examples, focusing on issues surrounding family reunification and immigration enforcement. He argues that government policies cause undue emotional and financial
distress for undocumented LGBTQ families, and are an economic detriment to the United States.
The author’s ultimate argument is that the LGBTQ identity compounds pre-existing biased legal struggles of the undocumented immigrant, and vice-versa. Despite having lived in America for several years, undocumented families have a constant risk of being forcefully separated from their children, and this risk is disproportionately high for the LGBTQ population. The author praises the steps the Obama administration has made to protect the unity of same-sex families but argues that these changes are not enough, nor adequately implemented.
This article is openly and unapologetically displeased with the current treatment of LGBTQ undocumented immigrants. The intended readers for this piece are ideally lawyers and powerful policy backers, though it simultaneously appeals to the everyday reader. Any reader that could incite political change is a target audience. This paper is biased in the sense that it is persuasive writing, meant to convince the reader that significant change must be made. There is an emotional appeal included in the form of a personal story of a lesbian couple separated by citizenship, but most information is presented through facts. Logic and statistical evidence are employed to convince the reader that there is a problem with America’s treatment of the LGBTQ undocumented, a problem worth solving.
I believe that the strength of this piece could be improved overall with a more in-depth exploration of the problems LGBTQ asylum seekers face when trying to escape a home country where they are in life-threatening danger because of their sexual orientation. Another major issue is the lack of both focus and data on the prevalence of children from LGBTQ families taken from their parents and put into foster care, as well as the strategies families take in an attempt to keep their family whole. A simple sentence highlights this informational gap. It states,”More research is needed to understand how many families face this situation” (Burns 17). Though I found this article highly informative on the legal issues of LGBTQ undocumented couples, I would not say it was at all comprehensive in covering the issues of entire families.