Leaving the Devil You Know: Crime Victimization, US Deterrence Policy, and the Emigration Decision in Central America

Following a sharp increase in the number of border arrivals from violence-torn countries Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras spring summer 2014, United States quickly implemented strategy designed to prevent such surges by enhancing its detention deportation efforts. In this article, we examine emigration decision for citizens living high-crime contexts northern Central America. First, through analysis survey data across Honduras, explore role crime victimization plays leading residents these consider emigration. Next, using collected twelve municipalities evaluate extent which knowledge heightened US immigration deterrence efforts influenced respondents’ decision. Though vast majority respondents were aware stricter policy regime, awareness had no effect on their consideration as viable strategy.