Dr. Rafael A. Martínez is an assistant professor of Southwest Borderlands at Arizona State University whose work centers on issues of immigration, immigrant communities, and the U.S.-Mexico borderlands. His book, Illegalized, examines the work of immigrant youth organizers in the United States, including acts of civil disobedience and the use of social media in recent years.
Review of Illegalized
In the book, Illegalized, Dr. Martínez introduces readers to the methodology of (un)documenting, which refers to the process of documenting the lives of undocumented immigrants—in this case, by undocumented youth organizers. As Dr. Martínez notes, (un)documenting is employed “both as an activist strategy and as an alternative to the state’s narrative” (p. 11). He applies this new methodology by walking readers through three important case studies that feature organizing efforts by Elvira Arellano, Jonathan Perez and Isaac Barrera, and the National Immigrant Youth Alliance. While each of these case studies has distinct features, Dr. Martínez’s discussion aptly documents organizers’ courage, strategic action, and ultimately their commitment to shedding light on the consequences of U.S. immigration policy and enforcement.
“NIYA’s #BringThemHome campaign can also be understood as an escalation of their activists’ previous efforts to infiltrate detention centers by voluntarily turning themselves in to Border Patrol, starting with Jonathan Perez and Isaac Barrera’s infiltration in November 2011. NIYA had continued these infiltration actions with other activists who were part of their network to bring to light and expose undocumented immigrants’ experiences inside of detention centers” (page 101).
The fourth and final empirical chapter focuses on cumbiatón as experienced in the party scene of Los Angeles, California. In it, Dr. Martínez situates cumbiatón as a case study and ultimately argues that “the activism produced by undocumented organizers like those of Cumbiatón creates alternative ways of organizing and develops new ways to resist the nation-state” (p. 134). This chapter in particular centers organizers’ joy, intersecting identities, and critiques of the DREAMer narrative.
Notably, as an undocu-scholar, Dr. Martínez also walks readers through his own experience growing up undocumented. This includes the process of learning about what it meant to be an undocumented student and later becoming “DACAmented”.
Scholars of immigration, social movements, and qualitative research methods will find the book particularly fruitful for its discussion of immigrant youth organizing in the 21st century. Undergraduate students and community organizers will also find the book helpful for understanding the kinds of organizing efforts that are possible across the country. The Conclusion also offers important insight into what (un)documenting and organizing may look like under the current political climate and ongoing uncertainty surrounding DACA.
Q & A with Dr. Rafael A. Martínez
At My Undocumented Life, we had an opportunity to interview Dr. Martínez about his work. We thank him for responding to our questions via e-mail.
- As an Undocu-Scholar, what was the process and meaning of writing this book for you?
Writing Illegalized was both a deeply personal and political journey. As an undocu-scholar— individuals who are conducting research, writing, documenting, producing artwork, and developing public projects based on the lived experiences of being undocumented or formerly undocumented —I approached this book not just as a researcher, but as a participant and lived experiences in the movements documented in the book. The process of writing was an act of un(documenting)—a methodology I developed to challenge dominant archival practices and to center undocumented youth as knowledge producers. It was about reclaiming narrative power and building counterarchives that expose the state’s mechanisms that render immigration populations illegal and amplify the voices of those rendered invisible.
The meaning of writing Illegalized lies in honoring the courage of undocumented youth who dared to be “Undocumented and Unafraid.” Activists who were bold in documenting their own activism, and who built new imaginaries of joy, resistance, and community. It is a tribute to those who have come out of the shadows and those who remain in them, navigating the complexities of visibility, safety, and survival. As an undocu-scholar, I see this work as a responsibility—to document our histories, theorize our experiences, and contribute to the growing of undocuscholarship with integrity, care, and a commitment to justice.
- As the landscape of U.S. immigration policy and enforcement shifts, what are some of the lessons you hope readers will walk away with?
One of the main lessons I hope that readers of Illegalized take away is that there are legacies of undocumented youth resisting and challenging immigration pressures in the realms of policy, education, socioeconomic, intersectionality, among other. Immigrant youth has not just been subjects of policy- there is a history of knowledge productions to tap into for younger generations to learn from these earlier periods and older generations to gain motivation for their contributions.
A second lesson from the book is document and build counternarratives that are meant to educate a general audience as well as internal immigrant community members – that again, is what I call un(documenting). Why? Because when we expose the political violence and the extent into which the state is willing to go to criminalize the immigrant community, there is an opportunity to gain more allied citizens who will not agree with what is happening in the landscape of U.S. immigration policy and enforcement shifts.
- How might others support the work of immigrant youth organizers across the country, particularly given today’s political climate?
Supporting immigrant youth organizers begins with recognizing that undocumented youth movements are not a singular entity—they are plural, diverse, and intersectional. One of the core arguments in Illegalized is that these movements are not monolithic; they are composed of multiple efforts, strategies, and identities that reflect the complexity of undocumented life in the United States. This multiplicity is not a weakness—it’s a strength.
In today’s political climate, where immigrant communities continue to face heightened surveillance, detention, and deportation, support must be equally multifaceted. People can begin by bringing their own skill sets, resources, and networks to the table. Whether you’re an artist, educator, lawyer, tech worker, or community organizer, there is a place for you in this work. But it’s essential that support be rooted in humility and a willingness to learn directly from immigrant organizers themselves, who have long been at the forefront of reimagining what justice and inclusion can look like.
Support also means engaging with local, state, and national organizations led by or working in solidarity with immigrant communities. It means showing up—not just for protests, but also for community events, fundraisers, and cultural gatherings. It means amplifying undocumented voices, challenging harmful narratives, and advocating for policies that reflect the lived realities of immigrant youth.
Finally, support can take the form of creating and sustaining spaces of joy. As I argue in the book, joy is political. Organizing parties, art shows, and cultural events where undocumented communities can gather, celebrate, and heal is a vital form of activism. These spaces affirm life and belonging in the face of systems designed to erase and exclude.
- Lastly, many of our readers are undocumented students who are hoping to apply to graduate school, as a faculty member who not only studies immigration but also has lived experience as an Undocu-Scholar, what are a few pieces of advice you would share with prospective undocumented grad students?
To undocumented students considering graduate school: your lived experience is not only valid—it is a source of knowledge, power, and scholarly insight. One of the most important lessons I’ve learned as an undocu-scholar is that our identities are not separate from our academic work. In fact, they can be central to the questions we ask, the communities we serve, and the futures we imagine.
I come from an academic background rooted in Chicana feminist epistemologies, as such I invite folks to turn to autohistoria—the practice of theorizing from lived experience. Graduate school can feel isolating, especially for undocumented students navigating legal, financial, and institutional barriers. As such, my second piece of advice is to seek spaces of acompañamiento—mentorship rooted in care, advocacy, and long-term support. These relationships, often with faculty or peers who understand your journey, can be transformative. They are not just about academic guidance; they are about building trust, sharing resources, and walking alongside you through each stage of your journey. And prioritize convivencia—spaces of collective survival and joy. Graduate school isn’t just about research and writing; it’s about building community. Whether through student organizations, cultural events, or informal gatherings, these spaces allow you to connect, heal, and grow with others who share your values and struggles. Finally, engage in pláticas—dialogue that centers your voice and learn from those who intersect and are diverse from yours. Your perspective is needed in academia, and your presence challenges the dominant narratives that often exclude us.
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Categories: Book Reviews, UndocuScholarship
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