Deportation can affect a family in a multitude of ways. When an individual is suddenly repatriated, their unexpected departure creates a rupture in the family that has serious and long-lasting implications. Despite the significance of this separation, little has been documented about the effects of repatriation on the family. This study analyzes themes and concepts of the effects of deportation that emerged during in-depth interviews that were conducted by the researcher in Tijuana, Baja California. Twenty-two interviews with deported male and female migrants were conducted in migrant shelters in Tijuana. Participants provided personal accounts of deportation's effects on their family. The findings in this study indicate that deportation affects a family's psychological, emotional, financial, and general well-being. As such, it also demonstrates that family unity should be a primary concern for immigration officials.
