ABSTRACT
The United States (US) had a complex and contradictory relationship to immigration and immigrants, which has been reflected in the simultaneous celebration of an immigrant history and the fear of immigrant cultures and bodies that are expressed through the enactment of anti-immigrant legislation. In the aftermath of 9/11, the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) was reorganised into the newly created Department of Homeland Security, thereby conflating immigrants and terrorists in the American imagination. This chapter focuses on the ethical and political dilemmas about early marriage among Hmong American students from refugee families. In short, the focus on Hmong culture led to a victim blaming mentality among many policymakers and educators. Educational researchers invested in conducting research that promotes social justice for immigrant students must take the time to reflect on whether their representations promote social justice for their participants or for other immigrant groups.
