Xenophobia Among Hispanic College Students and Implications for the Criminal Justice System

• NCJ Number: 234326
• Journal: Journal of Contemporary Criminal Justice Volume: 27 Issue: 1 Dated: February 2011 Pages: 95-109
• Author(s): Claudia San Miguel; J. Mitchell Miller; Dae-Hoon Kwak; Jenifer A. Lee-Gonyea; Nathan E. Gonyea
• Date Published: February 2011
• Length: 15 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study explored the attitudes toward illegal immigrants.

Abstract

Immigration, particularly the illegal immigration of Mexicans, has emerged as one of the Nation's foremost social problems. This study explores attitudes toward illegal immigrants among a sample of Hispanic college students of primarily Mexican decent (N = 216). Through an intrarace inquiry strategy, the authors examine whether illegal immigrants (a) are a growing problem in the United States, (b) contribute to the decline of society, and (c) are more likely than other groups in the United States to break the law. Findings reveal that college students with positive attitudes toward Mexico and the Mexican culture were more likely to hold negative attitudes toward illegal immigrants. Gender, annual household income, and college major were also found to be statistically significant predictors of attitude toward illegal immigrants. As Hispanics constitute the largest voting minority group, the impact of the findings on public policy, including implications for the criminal justice system, are discussed. (Published Abstract)