Unhomed in the Homeland: Post-Deportation Housing Insecurity and Structural Vulnerability in Guatemala
Lauren Gonzalez-Perez
12/08/2026
This paper examines how forced deportation from the United States exacerbates housing insecurity among Guatemalan returnees, analyzed through Structural Vulnerability Theory. It explores systemic barriers, institutional neglect, and sociocultural exclusion shaping reintegration. The study also investigates how gender, ethnicity, and transnational dynamics influence vulnerability, emphasizing the intersectional nature of structural risks and long-term consequences for families, communities, and social networks.
This research paper utilizes multidisciplinary sources between 2010-2025, including empirical studies, NGO reports, and policy analyses. This research introduces five principle concepts, including insufficient housing and reintegration policies, persistent stigma and social isolation, fragmented governance, overlapping issues, and transnational policy asymmetries. Through a data synthesis between qualitative insights and policy evaluations, the research paper reveals patterns of exclusion and institutional gaps within local, nation, and international contexts.
The findings reveal that housing insecurity is a structural consequence where migration governance, socioeconomic inequality, and state capacity intersect. Guatemala’s limited policy response perpetuates cycles of displacement and marginalization. The evidence highlights the compounded impact of intersecting vulnerabilities, revealing that short-term interventions are insufficient to address systemic inequities.
Applying Structural Vulnerability Theory highlights that systemic inequities, rather than personal failings, restrict access to housing and survival. The research emphasizes the necessity for rights-based housing frameworks integrating social protection and community inclusion, and long-term holistic support strategies to achieve sustainable post-deportation reintegration and comprehensive social support. These findings advocate coordinated policy reform, inclusive reintegration programs, and strengthened regional collaboration to mitigate structural vulnerability for deported populations.