Anti-immigration Policies and Fear of Deportation: A Human Rights Issue

This report examines how recent immigration policies and immigration enforcement strategies have impacted Latino immigrants in Arizona. Analyses examined the relationship between fear of deportation and the impact of immigration policies on various aspects of daily life of Latino immigrants as a result of US immigration policies. Results indicate that participants who reported a greater fear of deportation were also significantly more likely to report: (1) trouble keeping a job; (2) trouble finding a job; (3) having been asked for immigration documents; (3) that friends have suffered; (4) that their family has suffered; (5) lower confidence that police will treat Latino immigrants fairly; (6) lower confidence that the courts will treat Latino immigrants fairly; and (7) lower confidence that they will have a better future. Implications for social work practice, advocacy, and research are discussed.