Latino Political Participation by Citizenship Status and Immigrant Generation

Objective Using the complementary 2012 American National Election Study and 2012 Latino Immigrant National Election Study, we examine Latino political participation by citizenship and immigrant generation status. Methods We use logistic regression to examine three political participation modes—voting, campaign activity, and civic participation—across four Latino subgroups (noncitizens, naturalized citizens, second generation, and third‐plus generation), and non‐Latino whites. We assess whether political participation patterns can be explained by demographics and standard political predictors (i.e., religiosity, partisanship, political efficacy, and social trust) and whether patterns differ for older and younger adults. Results Across all political participation modes, third‐plus‐generation Latinos and non‐Latino whites participate equally. Second‐generation Latinos demonstrate a political participation disadvantage: their political participation is as low as, or lower than, that of noncitizen Latinos—a disadvantage driven mostly by younger Latinos. Conclusion Results suggest diverging patterns of Latino political incorporation, and raise concerns that young second‐generation Latinos may not fully integrate into American political life.