NCJ Number
186228
Date Published
1999
Length
10 pages
Annotation
This chapter's purpose is to provide a better understanding of Latino homicide in the United States.
Abstract
The authors propose that the combined impact of immigration and economic deprivation on Latino communities creates a social milieu that varies substantially from the experiences of most other ethnic groups (e.g., Anglo and African-American); this social milieu, in turn, influences violence within the Latino community. To illustrate this, the chapter compares and contrasts the small number of Latino homicide studies, paying special attention to the context within which Latino homicide occurs. The authors argue for an emphasis on the role of immigration in shaping the Latino experience with homicide in the United States. Unlike the economy that welcomed unskilled white immigrants at the turn of the 20th century, it has been difficult for newly arrived groups to advance economically in contemporary U.S. society. Further, the possible varying experiences of specific Latino immigrant groups (Mexican, Cuban, Salvadoran, etc.) have not been sufficiently explored. The impact of immigration in particular cities requires additional attention. Also, the effects of Latino immigration on other violent crimes and the linkages of these to homicide have not been investigated. 2 tables, 4 notes, and 41 references