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Estimating Labor Trafficking among Unauthorized Migrant Workers in San Diego

Author

Listed:
  • Sheldon X. Zhang
  • Michael W. Spiller
  • Brian Karl Finch
  • Yang Qin

Abstract

Research on labor trafficking faces many methodological challenges, which make it difficult to provide reliable estimates of the problem. In this research, we applied respondent-driven sampling and unique access to migrant communities in San Diego County, California, to estimate the extent of trafficking violations in one of America’s largest Spanish-speaking immigrant destinations. We found that 30 percent of undocumented migrant laborers were victims of labor trafficking, 55 percent were victims of other labor abuses, and about half of these victimization experiences occurred within the past 12 months. The rate of trafficking violations varied markedly across business sectors that typically hire unauthorized migrant workers. Construction and janitorial services had the most reported trafficking violations and labor abuses. Findings in this study also suggest that the illegal status in the country is likely the most significant factor contributing to vulnerability to trafficking violations.

Suggested Citation

  • Sheldon X. Zhang & Michael W. Spiller & Brian Karl Finch & Yang Qin, 2014. "Estimating Labor Trafficking among Unauthorized Migrant Workers in San Diego," The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, , vol. 653(1), pages 65-86, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:anname:v:653:y:2014:i:1:p:65-86
    DOI: 10.1177/0002716213519237
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Ronald Weitzer, 2007. "The Social Construction of Sex Trafficking: Ideology and Institutionalization of a Moral Crusade," Politics & Society, , vol. 35(3), pages 447-475, September.
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    Cited by:

    1. Matt Kammer-Kerwick & Mayra Yundt-Pacheco & Nayan Vashisht & Kara Takasaki & Noel Busch-Armendariz, 2023. "A Framework to Develop Interventions to Address Labor Exploitation and Trafficking: Integration of Behavioral and Decision Science within a Case Study of Day Laborers," Societies, MDPI, vol. 13(4), pages 1-31, April.

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