U.S. flag
      An official website of the United States government, Department of Justice.
        Here's how you know
      Here's how you know**Official websites use .gov**
            
            A **.gov** website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
      **Secure .gov websites use HTTPS**
            
            A **lock** (
            A locked padlock
            ) or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Menu

      
        close

            
            
                                              About NIJ
        
                    
  
          About NIJ
      
    
          The NIJ Director
          How NIJ Is Organized
          Mission and Guiding Principles
          Research and Development Process
          Strategic Framework
          Assessments of NIJ
          Annual Reports & Reports to Congress
          Staff Directory
          Funding & Awards
        
                    
  
          Funding & Awards
      
    
          Current Funding
          Forthcoming Funding
          Expired Funding
          Awards: Listing of Funded Projects
          Guidance for Applicants and Awardees
          Fellowship & Student Programs
          Travel Scholarships
          NIJ Challenge Program
          Library & Multimedia
        
                    
  
          Library & Multimedia
      
    
          NIJ Journal
          Podcasts
          Publications Listing
          Multimedia Listing
          Rated Practices on CrimeSolutions
          Rated Programs on CrimeSolutions
          Software & Databases
          Datasets
          Patents
          Topics
        
                    
  
          Topics
      
    
          Article Listing
          Corrections
          Courts
          Crime Prevention
          Crimes
          Drugs and Crime
          Equipment and Technology
          Forensic Sciences
          Youth Justice
          Justice System Reform
          Law Enforcement
          Tribal Crime and Justice
          Victims of Crime
          Events
        
                    
  
          Events
      
    
          NIJ 2024 Research Conference
          Scheduled Events
          On-Demand Events
          Research Meetings & Workshops
          NIJ-Hosted Online Training

                            
                                About
          Contact Us
          Subscribe
          Topics A-Z
                  Share
FacebookXLinkedInRedditPinterestEmail Home
                            Library & Multimedia
 Looking for a Hidden Population: Trafficking of Migrant Laborers in San Diego County
NCJ Number
              240223

Author(s)
          Sheldon X. Zhang Ph.D.
Date Published

November 2012
Length
              155 pages
Annotation
              This study provides estimates of the prevalence of trafficking victimization among unauthorized migrant laborers in San Diego County and investigates the types of victimization experienced by this population.
Abstract
              Although labor trafficking has received much attention in recent years, there is limited empirical research into the depth, breadth, and scope of the problem due to the high costs and methodological challenges associated with these studies. The scarcity of reliable estimates on labor trafficking activities has long been a concern for international organizations and government agencies. Both policy makers and advocacy groups recognize that anti-trafficking campaigns cannot gain credibility without the support of empirical evidence and reliable statistics. Labor trafficking is wide-spread among unauthorized Spanish-speaking migrant workers in San Diego County, with estimates that over 30% of this population are trafficking victims and 55% are victims of abusive labor practices or gross exploitation. The study results include that: 1) the Respondent-Driven Sampling method can be successfully applied to studying labor trafficking activities in well-defined geographical regions with known concentrations of unauthorized immigrant populations. 2) Violations and abuses inflicted by smugglers during transportation were far less common than those inflicted by employers; 6% of those who traveled with smugglers experienced trafficking violations compared to approximately 28% at the workplace while the combined rate of victimization (violations and abusive practices) during transportation was 23% compared to 52% at the workplace. 3) There are marked variations across business sectors with agriculture having the lowest rate and construction and janitorial services have the highest number of violations and abuses. 4) Wage and employment conditions vary tremendously from business to business, the fragmented labor market and diverse job requirements make it easy for unscrupulous employers to take advantage of unauthorized workers.
      
  
          Additional Details
Grant Number(s)
        2009-IJ-CX-0011


  
  
        
  Agencies
        NIJ-Sponsored


  
  
        
  Publication Type
        Report (Study/Research)


  
  
        
  Award
        Trafficking of Migrant Laborers in San Diego County: Looking for a Hidden Population
    
  
  
Date Published: November 1, 2012
    
          Downloads
        
                      PDF

Side navigation
  

        

  
  
              NIJ Journal
    
      
            
            
            
      Podcasts
    
      
            
            
            
      Publications Listing
    
      
            
            
            
      Multimedia Listing
    
      
            
            
            
      Rated Practices on CrimeSolutions
    
      
            
            
            
      Rated Programs on CrimeSolutions
    
      
            
            
            
      Software & Databases
    
      
            
            
            
      Datasets
    
      
            
            
            
      PatentsRelated Topics
        
                NIJ Final Report
        Research
        Research design
        Research design models
        Victimization



  
Similar Publications
        
                      Understanding the Impact of COVID-19 on Victim Service Provision: Challenges, Innovations, and Lessons Learned
                  Better together: A transdisciplinary approach to disrupt human trafficking
                  The relationships among prior gang involvement, current gang involvement, and victimization among youth in residential placement
 Top

      National Institute of Justice

        
        
                        About NIJ
                    About NIJ
      
    
                  How NIJ Is Organized
      
    
                  NIJ Director
      
    
                  Research Disclaimer
      
    
                  Funding & Awards
                    Funding & Awards Home
      
    
                  Awards Listing
      
    
                  Current Funding
      
    
                  Guidance for Applicants and Awardees
      
    
                  Resources
                    Events
      
    
                  Podcasts
      
    
                  Publications
      
    
                  Topics
      
    
                  Multimedia
      
    
                  Reuse Policy
      
    
                  Contacts
                    Contact NIJ
      
    
                  Staff Directory
      
    
                  Submit a FOIA Request
      
    
                  File a Civil Rights ComplaintFacebook
          
                      X
          
                      YouTube
  

      810 7th St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20531
      
              Secondary Footer link menu
            Accessibility
              Plain Language
              Privacy Policy
              Legal Policies and Disclaimer
              No FEAR Act
              Freedom of Information Act
              USA.gov
              Justice.gov