According to some politicians and much of the mainstream media, immigrant poppulations only contribute crime to their communities. Senn as unmotivated and unemployed, these immigrants are thought to be a threat to society's moral fiber' and a burden to its system.
Ramiro Martinez tells a very different story in Latino Homicide. Studyiny five major cities-Chicago, EI Paso, Houston, Miami and San Diego-Martinez reveals Latinez homicide rates to be markedly lower than one would expect, given the economic deprivation of these urban areas. Far from dangerous or criminal, these communities often have exceptionally strong social networks precisely because of their shared immigrant experiences. With fascinating case studies drawn from police reports and actual cases, Latino Homicide refutes negative stereotupes in a coherent and critically rigorous analysis of the issues. This revealing and important book is the first in Routledge's new Crime, Law, and Deviance series, and Deviance series, and will undoubtedly change our understanding of immigration and crime.
1. Introduction: Latinos and violent crime
2. The legacy and images of latino crime
3. The creation of latinos: Local context and contemporary crime
4. The origins of latino communities
5. The roots of homicide in the barrio and enclave
6. The ethnic and immigrant homicide contrast, 1980-95
7. Fact or Fiction? Latino Homicide Motives
8. Conclusion: moving beyono black and white violent crime research
9. Afterword