Immigrant Generation and Direct Victimization: A Longitudinal Analysis of Previously Adjudicated Youth

Despite the vulnerability associated with the immigrant experience, first generation immigrants are typically less or no more likely to be victims of general forms of violence and crime. While prior individual-level research supports this, less is known about the relationship between immigrant status and victimization in longitudinal contexts. To address this gap, this study analyzes restricted and open data from the Pathways to Desistance Study, a longitudinal study of previously adjudicated youth. This study found that immigrant generational status was not significantly associated with four out of five direct victimization outcomes. At the same time, when compared to third-plus generation natives, both first-generation and second-generation immigrants were more likely to have been chased to the point where they thought they might be seriously hurt. These results may be explained by the vulnerability tied to the adjudicated status of the sample examined. Other factors may also inform these relationships. The limitations and implications of this research are discussed.