Racial & Familial Implications on Attitudes of U.S. Immigration Policies: Using a Structural Equation Modeling Approach

• In Event: 20862 - Section on International Migration Roundtables
  In Refereed Roundtable (60 minute): Table 1: Attitudes Toward Immigration

Abstract

With the rising concern of restrictive immigration policies on migrants, understanding the factors that shape public attitudes towards immigration is crucial. Immigration policy remains one of the most polarizing political issues in the US, with the recent Trump administration implementing a series of executive orders targeting immigrants that may delay immigrant family reunifications and increase surveillance of deportations. This study analyzes how race and familial presence, particularly multigenerational households, influence the perceptions of immigration policies. Specifically, we ask: (1) Does familial presence influence the attitudes of immigration policies? (2) Are there distinct differences by race and ethnicity? (3) How does the type of political sourcing impact the racialized voting behavior on immigrant policies? To answer these questions, we use the Collaborative Multiracial Post-Election Survey to evaluate whether type of family household, voting behaviors, and political news sourcing mediate individuals’ attitudes on US immigration policies. This research contributes to broader literature on racialization of immigrant groups, political socialization, and the role of family structure in shaping political attitudes.

Authors

• Tiffanie Vo, Indiana University-Bloomington

• Desiree Salais, University of Washington