Victimization and the Decision to Migrate

Claire Altman, Pennsylvania State University
Brianna Remster, Pennsylvania State University

Research has devoted considerable attention to the determinants that influence migration decisions. These factors often include social and human capital, financial resources, region of residence, and socio-demographic characteristics. Despite the recent convergence of criminological and demographic research, no prior work has considered the impact of victimization on migration decisions. We hypothesize that victimization will increase the likelihood of migration, net of other established push and pull factors. We utilize data from the Mexican Family Life Survey (MxFLS) to explore the relationship between victimization and migration. The results suggest that individual victimization affects migration. The findings are discussed in the context of current debates and scholarship on US and Mexican migration.