Date of Conferral
5-19-2025
Date of Award
May 2025
Degree
Ph.D.
School
Criminal Justice
Advisor
Sean Grier
Abstract
The delegation of immigration enforcement authority to local law enforcement under Section 287(g) raised concerns about increased racial profiling, fueling fear and distrust in immigrant communities. Understanding these effects aided in evaluating the broader impact of immigration policies on public safety and community relations. Grounded in critical race theory, this study explored how Section 287(g) enabled racial profiling by giving local law enforcement broad discretionary authority over immigration enforcement. A qualitative research design was employed using thematic analysis of interview data from 26 immigrants and law enforcement officers. Manual coding and NVivo software were utilized to conduct the analysis. The analysis revealed four key themes: (1) Increased police powers, (2) Racial profiling and targeting, (3) Relations and interactions between police and immigrants, and (4) The impact of Section 287(g). These themes depicted that Section 287(g) expanded police powers, led to racial profiling, eroded trust in law enforcement, and heightened fear within immigrant communities. The study results have led to the following two recommendations: community oversight programs to improve police-immigrant relations and mandatory anti-bias training for officers involved in immigration enforcement. These findings had implications for positive social change by informing policymakers and law enforcement about the adverse effects of Section 287(g), advocating for fair immigration policies, and supporting reforms to ensure equitable law enforcement practices.
Recommended Citation
Wajackoyah, George L., "Reasonable Suspicion and Racial Profiling in the Enforcement of Immigration Laws in Arizona" (2025). Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies. 17755.
https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/17755
