“My children will need to pay it back”: a qualitative testimonio study of Latina immigrant mothers seeking social services for their mixed-status families

Few studies have examined what influences immigrant families participating in social service programs when at least one child is a U.S.-born citizen and at least one parent is living in the U.S. without legal authorization. Sixteen interviews with Mexican undocumented immigrant women who experienced intimate partner violence (IPV) were analyzed to investigate how the women perceived that their immigration status affected their seeking social services for their mixed-status families. Thematic analyses indicated that the parent's immigration status restricts the entire family's help-seeking participation. Barriers and facilitators were identified. Implications for social work practice with undocumented immigrant IPV survivors are discussed.