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Immigration Enforcement, Sanctuary Cities, and Rising Hispanic Suicide Rates

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  • Hadah, Hussain

    (Tulane University)

Abstract

I estimate the causal impact of the US Secure Communities (SC) program, which expanded deportation risk nationwide, on Hispanic suicide rates. Using the staggered county rollout (2008–2013) and a triple difference-in-differences design, I identify heterogeneous effects relative to non-Hispanic Whites. Among adults 34 and older, SC increases suicides by 2 percent, driven entirely by men, who experience a 12 percent rise, while women see declines. Effects are strongest for men 45 and older. I find that local employment conditions likely drive these effects, as lower unemployment mitigates impacts and deaths of despair among Hispanic men rise substantially.

Suggested Citation

  • Hadah, Hussain, 2026. "Immigration Enforcement, Sanctuary Cities, and Rising Hispanic Suicide Rates," IZA Discussion Papers 18613, IZA Network @ LISER.
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp18613
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • I14 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health and Inequality
    • I18 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health
    • J15 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Minorities, Races, Indigenous Peoples, and Immigrants; Non-labor Discrimination
    • H75 - Public Economics - - State and Local Government; Intergovernmental Relations - - - State and Local Government: Health, Education, and Welfare

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