Our manuscript, Dangerous Stereotypes: Anti-Immigrant Sentiment and Integration Policy Preferences in Latin America, investigates the following research question: Which empathy-based messages are the most effective to promote citizen demands for pro-immigrant policies? Drawing from cross-disciplinary literature in the social sciences, our study seeks to identify narratives embedded in real-life messages that can persuade citizens to support immigrant integration policies and thus political candidates who advance electoral platforms in favor of immigrants.
With a focus on Mexico, we argue that exposure to empathy-based immigrant testimonies that counteract negative stereotypes can lead to long-lasting attitudinal and behavioral change that favors the implementation of pro-immigrant policies. Our purpose is not only to examine the most prevalent stereotypes against immigrants, but also to identify evidence-based interventions that can correct such misperceptions and result in increased demands for the implementation of policies that can ameliorate human suffering among asylum seekers.
Besides making important theoretical and empirical contributions to the literature, our Elements book will result in actionable recommendations that can be feasibly implemented by local and international organizations working to improve the integration of immigrants in Latin American countries.
Remarks from our fieldwork featured by the Kellogg Institute
