Deportation USA: Exploring State-Level Social, Economic, and Political Factors in Judicial Outcomes

• In Event: 3251 - Section on International Migration Refereed Roundtables (1 hour)
  In Refereed Roundtable 60min: 14. Legality and Irregular Migration

Abstract

The deportation of migrants has been a part of U.S. public policy for some time. Scholars have paid particular attention to the social and cultural impacts of deportation on individuals, families, and ethno-national communities. We use longitudinal data from 2006 to 2017 to study the variation of deportation judicial outcomes across states and years. Using fixed effects models, we examine the association between immigrant deportation and a number of social, economic, and political factors. Assessing these state-level characteristics shows that economic factors, for instance, unemployment, are positively associated with deportation levels. Similarly, political factors, such as the percentage of Republican voters in a state, are also positively associated with deportation. However, pro-immigrant policy in states are negatively associated with deportation levels. Results are discussed in the context of state-level factors, federal policy, and the court system adjudicating these cases.

Authors

• Shiyue Cui, University at Buffalo, SUNY

• Yulin Yang, SUNY - Buffalo

• Robert M. Adelman, University at Buffalo