Negative stereotypes that associate Latines in general with undocumented Latine immigrants increase U.S.-born Latines' anger toward the group.

OBJECTIVE

More than two thirds of the 68 million Latines in the United States are U.S. born (Piña & Martinez, 2025). However, negative stereotypes of undocumented Latine immigrants have become associated with the broader Latine population (Chavez, 2013). In the present studies, we examined whether the negative association with undocumented Latine immigrants causes U.S.-born Latines to express negative emotions toward the group, emotions associated with distancing themselves from undocumented immigrants and supporting punitive immigration policies that would harm them.

METHODS

We conducted three survey experiments and an integrative data analysis (N = 1,159) among online samples of U.S.-born Latines. We randomly assigned participants to read an article that stated that stereotypes of undocumented Latine immigrants reflect poorly on Latines as a whole or a control article. Participants then reported their anger and shame when thinking about undocumented immigrants, their desire to distance themselves from them, and their support for punitive immigration policies.

RESULTS

Based on the integrative data analysis, U.S.-born Latines who read that undocumented Latine immigrants reflect negatively on Latines as a whole (vs. control) reported more anger when thinking about the group. Anger, in turn, was associated with a greater desire to distance from undocumented Latine immigrants and more support for punitive immigration policies.

CONCLUSION

Negative stereotypes that associate undocumented Latine immigrants with Latines in general can sow division within the panethnic group. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).