The impact of fear of crime, victimization, trust in the police, and inequalities on emigration in Central and South America

Inequalities around the world are well-known correlates of emigration. Still, researchers have struggled to fully explain sources of emigration. One missing piece in this puzzle is the impact of crime and justice inequalities. This chapter provides an overview of several theories of migration, which may be used to understand emigration. Next, it discusses the correlates and outcomes of inequalities and emigration, noting their potential positive and negative relationships as well as how crime and justice might drive emigration. Third, it considers the contexts of Central and South America, which are known for their high emigration rates. Finally, this chapter examines several Central and South American countries as case studies for understanding inequality, justice, and emigration. This analysis looks beyond traditional metrics of inequality at the macro- and micro- levels, assessing the potential mediating impact of fear of crime, victimization, and trust in police, and how these may influence emigration intentions. Findings suggest that fear of crime and victimization are influential mediators in the relationship between sociodemographic inequalities and emigration, whereas trust in police is not. Implications and policy considerations are discussed.