Policy and Prejudice: The Impact of Anti-Immigrant Legislation on Anti-Hispanic Attitudes and Bias Crimes

• In Event: The Causes and Consequences of Hate Crime Victimization: Findings from the LHCVS Pilot Study

Abstract

This research examines the relationship between anti-immigration policies and anti-Hispanic prejudice and bias crime victimization. Specifically, this research will group threat perspectives with theoretical expectations from political legitimization and emboldenment theories, which posit that bias crimes are incited by governments engaging in anti-group actions. In this context, this study tests two research questions. First, do individuals who reside in states with more harmful immigration policies exhibit higher levels of anti-Hispanic prejudice? Second, do Hispanic people residing in these states report more anti-Hispanic hate crime victimization and discrimination? To conduct this research, this study will merge data from the ILRC’s Immigration Enforcement State Index with survey data on anti-Hispanic xenophobia and anti-Hispanic victimization from the Longitudinal Hate Crime Victimization Survey pilot study. Results point to important variation in anti-Hispanic prejudice and victimization in states with harsher immigration policies, suggesting the need to consider the individual-level implications of targeted legislation.

Authors

• Daniela Laurel, Florida State University

• Marin R. Wenger, Florida State University

• Brendan Lantz, Florida State University