This paper examines how stigmatizing attributes affect Latino perceptions of discrimination.
Research Context & Questions
Recent negative media focus on undocumented immigration has potentially reinforced stereotypes about Latinos.
Immigration enforcement actions further highlighted these traits. This study investigates:
1) How much do Latinos perceive discrimination?
2) How does immigration status, generational background, and language use moderate beliefs about discrimination?
Data & Methods
Pew Research's National Survey of Latinos data was analyzed to assess the relationship between perceived stigmas (immigration status, generationality, language dominance) and beliefs about experiencing discrimination.
The study explores how these factors influence trust in institutions, anxiety levels, and policy preferences regarding discrimination.
Key Findings
* Latino belief that they face discrimination decreases with proximity to the 'canonical immigrant' stereotype – specifically among first-generation Spanish-dominant immigrants.
* Reports of actual discrimination victimization remain consistently low over time.
Implications
The findings reveal a significant disconnect: stereotypes shape perceptions despite minimal reported experiences. This has important consequences for societal trust and political attitudes.
| Alien Citizens and the Canonical Immigrant: Do Stigmatized Attributes Affect Latina/o Judgment about Discrimination? was authored by Bradford Jones, Kristina Flores-Victor and David Vannette. It was published by Wiley in AJPS in 2019. |
