This qualitative research study examines the experiences of immigrant women crossing the U.S./Mexico border and the proliferation of “drop houses” in Arizona as a new phenomenon, one that is often marked by kidnappings and sexual assault. Little research has been published on the violence women face on their journey, and the drop houses have almost completely escaped scholarly analysis. We argue that the drop houses must be seen as a consequence of a “state of emergency” declared by policy makers that led to changes in U.S. national and local immigration policies that fueled what we call a “chain reaction of violence.” © The Author(s) 2015

Gender and migration states of exception U.S./Mexico border Sexual violence

Vulnerable Populations vulnerable population Arizona human violence statistics and numerical data policy qualitative research Humans migrant psychology Emigrants and Immigrants female adult migration Sex Offenses crime victim Transients and Migrants public policy sexual crime crime Crime Victims