Immigration in the United States: Exploring the Factors that Predict Public Support for Police Stops Targeted at Illegal Immigrants & Immigrants with Criminal Background

Fear of Immigrants, Support for Exclusionary Immigration Policies & Police Stops against Illegal Immigrants with a Criminal Background in the US

“…Despite the existence of numerous empirical evidence that debunks an association between crime and immigration in the United States (Hernández, 2021;Dzordzormenyoh & Perkins, 2021;McCann, Zhang & Boateng, 2021), public attitudes and opinion continues to state otherwise (Hainmueller & Hopkins, 2014). Since public opinion influences public policy making in the United States, such as the impact of issue salience on government responsiveness (Burstein, 2003), it is not surprising to see that several restrictionist and gettough immigration policies abound in the United States (Hernández, 2021).…”

“…Evidence also suggests that such policies in the U.S. are supported by the public because of the fear of immigrants, false knowledge, xenophobia, racism, immigrant-crime perceptions, and other factors (Brader, Valentino & Suhay, 2008;Ramakrishan & Gulasekaram, 2012). In the present study we seek to understand the factors that influence public support for immigration policies targeted at immigrants with a criminal background and undocumented immigrants in the United States (Dzordzormenyoh & Perkins, 2021).…”

“…There has been extensive research done to address why there is public fear surrounding immigration in the United States (see Dzordzormenyoh & Perkins, 2021). Public and political discourse on immigration often emphasizes consequences for jobs, taxes, crime, and social harmony (Simon & Alexander, 1993).…”

“…Demographic contact theories are not void of their own criticism and challenges, such as their failure to produce lasting solutions to public-immigrant conflicts and to acknowledge the process of putting together immigrants and the public can produce negative consequences (Dixon et al, 2007;Crisp & Turner, 2017). Beside these factors several studies have found a significant relationship between some socio-demographic characteristics of the public and public fear for immigrants, specifically, immigrants with a criminal background and undocumented immigrants (see Pryce, 2018;McCann & Boateng, 2020;Dzordzormenyoh & Perkins, 2021). In a recent study, Dzordzormenyoh & Perkins (2021), contend that the United States' international reputation, as well as the country's immigration policies, influence public attitudes and fear towards immigrants.…”

“…Beside these factors several studies have found a significant relationship between some socio-demographic characteristics of the public and public fear for immigrants, specifically, immigrants with a criminal background and undocumented immigrants (see Pryce, 2018;McCann & Boateng, 2020;Dzordzormenyoh & Perkins, 2021). In a recent study, Dzordzormenyoh & Perkins (2021), contend that the United States' international reputation, as well as the country's immigration policies, influence public attitudes and fear towards immigrants. Concomitantly, the present review suggests that the United States has a long history of harsh and tough immigration policies against immigrants, specifically against immigrants with a criminal background and undocumented immigrants.…”