Anti-Immigration Sentiment and Public Opinion on Human Trafficking

• NCJ Number: 254227
• Journal: Crime Law and Social Change Volume: 72 Issue: 1 Dated: 2019 Pages: 125-143
• Author(s): Ieke De Vries; Connor Nickerson; Amy Farrell; Dana E. Wittmer-Wolfe; Vanessa Bouché
• Date Published: 2019
• Length: 19 pages
• Grant Number(s): 2012-MU-CX-0027
• Agencies: NIJ-Sponsored
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical); Report (Study/Research); Report (Grant Sponsored); Program/Project Description
• Award: Identifying Effective Counter-Trafficking Programs and Practices in the U.S.: Legislation, Law Enforcement Processes, and Demand Reduction Strategies That Work

Annotation

This study examined the role of anti-immigration sentiment in shaping public support for anti-trafficking efforts in the United States, with a focus on the effect of anti-immigration sentiment on the public's understanding of vulnerabilities for human trafficking among migrant populations and corresponding support for policies directed at the protection of migrant trafficked persons.

Abstract

Prior research shows that anti-immigration sentiment affects public opinion about criminal justice problems and solutions; however, little is known about how these sentiments affect public opinion of human trafficking. This is particularly important because public policies that safeguard migrant trafficked persons have been among the most difficult to pass despite strong support for the governmental prioritization of anti-trafficking efforts overall. Utilizing public opinion data from an original, nationally representative survey experiment of 2000 Americans, the current study found that anti-immigration sentiment (1) is associated with greater recognition of the vulnerability of immigrants to human trafficking victimization; (2) does not impact public support for a general governmental prioritization of human trafficking policies; yet (3) creates less public support for victim services for non-citizen trafficked persons; and (4) stems from differences in political views impacting support for services for immigrant victims. These findings contribute to an understanding of the role of anti-immigration sentiment in public opinion about crime and have implications for policies aimed at improving the identification of and outcomes for migrant trafficked persons. (publisher abstract modified)