Latinx Pre-Immigration Ideological Preferences and Party Identification in the United States

Abstract

Much political behavior research highlights the role of post-immigration experiences in framing Latinx immigrants’ preferences in the United States. We contend that immigrants’ pre-migration political socialization also shapes their current views, political engagement, and ideological orientations. Findings from a unique set of 146 interviews on political party choice before and after migration suggest that Latinx immigrants exhibit consistency of political orientations for party choice across borders. In other words, home-country political and ideological orientations help guide choice of U.S. political party. Pre-immigration variables are thus crucial for a more comprehensive assessment of Latinx immigrant political psychology and behavior.