Confronting Truth in Fiction: Unaccompanied Children and Migration Policies in Valeria Luiselli’s Narrative

Yıl 2025, Cilt: 17 Sayı: 2, 579 - 606, 29.06.2025

Elif Tuğba Doğan

https://doi.org/10.53376/ap.2025.21

Öz

This study evaluates the migration of unaccompanied children from Central America to the United States from a social policy perspective through Mexican author Valeria Luiselli’s Tell Me How It Ends and Lost Children Archive. The study examines the status of children, mechanisms of protection/exclusion, and solidarity practices using thematic analysis. The findings show that the securitization of migration limits children’s access to protection, and that in the absence of adequate social policy measures, the needs of unaccompanied children are partially met through volunteering and solidarity practices. Furthermore, it is argued that literary narratives not only make social problems visible but may also carry the potential for political intervention. Within the framework of Jacques Rancière’s concept of the “distribution of the sensible”, Luiselli’s narrative enables reflection on more just and humane migration policies.

Anahtar Kelimeler

Valeria Luiselli , Unaccompanied Children , Securitization of Migration , Mexico-US Border , Jacques Rancière

Kurmacada Hakikatle Yüzleşmek: Valeria Luiselli’nin Anlatısında Refakatsiz Çocuklar ve Göç Politikaları

Öz

Bu çalışma, Meksikalı yazar Valeria Luiselli’nin Bana Sonunu Söyle ve Kayıp Çocuk Arşivi adlı eserleri aracılığıyla, Orta Amerika’dan Amerika Birleşik Devletleri’ne yönelen refakatsiz çocuk göçünü sosyal politika perspektifiyle değerlendirmektedir. Çalışmada, çocukların statüsü, korunma/dışlanma mekanizmaları ve dayanışma pratikleri tematik analiz yöntemiyle incelenmiştir. Bulgular, göçün güvenlikleştirmesinin çocukların korunma mekanizmalarına erişimini sınırladığını ve sosyal politika uygulamalarının yetersizliğinde gönüllülük ve dayanışma pratikleriyle refakatsiz çocukların gereksinimlerinin kısmen karşılandığını göstermektedir. Bununla birlikte, edebi anlatıların toplumsal sorunları görünür kılmakla kalmayıp sorunlara dair politik müdahale potansiyeli taşıyabileceği savunulmaktadır. Jacques Rancière’in “duyumsanır olanın paylaşımı” kavramı çerçevesinde Luiselli’nin anlatısı, daha adil ve insani göç politikaları üzerine düşünmeye olanak sağlamaktadır.

Anahtar Kelimeler

Valeria Luiselli , Refakatsiz Çocuklar , Göçün Güvenlikleştirilmesi , Meksika-ABD Sınırı , Jacques Rancière

Kaynakça

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