“I Am Standing Still”: The Impact of Immigration Regulations on the Career Aspirations of Wives of International Students in the USA

Abstract

This paper utilizes Institutional Ethnography, a feminist research method, to examine the impact of immigration policies on the professional aspirations and career trajectory of wives of international students. The research process included interviews with thirtytwo wives who came to the US on a F-2 visa, along with analysis of immigration policies. Immigration regulations, which prohibit wives from accessing educational and employment opportunities, are reported to be a significant problem. F-2 wives not only confront the loss of professional identity but also irreparable damage to their long-term career prospects. The opaque organization of immigration regulations makes it very difficult for them to make an informed decision about the consequences of moving to the United States. The findings of this study contribute to the growing body of feminist research on how the migration practices of the US state contain hidden gender biases.