The Continuum of Violence Against Latinas and Latinos

In the United States, Latinas and Latinos experience violence along a continuum, which is not linear and includes violence perpetrated by private individuals and public officials. While forms of violence by public officials stand apart from violence by private individuals, both are intricately connected and arguably codependent. Recently, officials and private individuals have turned their anger towards Latino workers who are undocumented, and may be recent arrivals in the United States. This recent trend continues the historic use of stereotypes to demonize Latinos and characterize Latinos as not fully American. This trend has escalated violence against Latinos and anyone perceived as Latino, regardless of immigrant status. This article provides an introduction to two New York City Law Review articles addressing the recent anti-Latino immigrant hate violence spreading across the United States.