NCJ Number
231285
Journal
Homicide Studies Volume: 14 Issue: 3 Dated: August 2010 Pages: 336-355
Date Published
August 2010
Length
20 pages
Annotation
This analysis examined the relationship between English non-fluency and homicide victimization among Latinos in traditional and new destinations.
Abstract
One of the many contributions of Land, McCall, and Cohen's landmark study was the confirmation of a long-held view in criminologythat deprivation raises homicide. Yet recent literature finds that although Latino immigrant communities are often poor, paradoxically they have low levels of crime. Unfortunately, this seemingly contradictory evidence is based on studies of long-established, well-organized, traditional immigrant communities where Spanish is a modal form of communication. However, recent Latino migrants opted for new destinations that are unprotected by a shell of common culture and language, making Latinos in these areas more vulnerable to serious violence. In acknowledging these critical differences between old and new Latino communities, we observe four interrelated findings: (a) The widely held view that Latinos generally live in safe places is true only for those in traditional destinations; (b) Latinos in new destinations are murdered at an exceedingly high rate; (c) This elevated risk is linked to English nonfluency among Latinos in new destinations only; and (d) In these areas, linguistic isolation increases homicide not just directly but indirectly as well by first increasing Latino economic deprivation. Thus, once differences in place are considered, there is no "paradox" about Latino immigration and crime. Our results uphold the benchmark assessment of Land, McCall and Cohen, that deprivation is linked to homicideeven in Latino communities. Tables, appendix, notes, and references (Published Abstract)