Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health
2019

Tattoo Removal as a Resettlement Service to Reduce Incarceration Among Mexican Migrants (Article)

Kremer P. , Pinedo M. , Ferraiolo N. , Vargas-Ojeda A.C. , Burgos J.L. , Ojeda V.D.*
  • a University of California, San Diego Joint Doctoral Program in Public Health, 9500 Gilman Drive MC 0725, La Jolla, CA 92093-0725, United States
  • b The University of Texas at Austin, College of Education, 1912 Speedway, Stop D5000, Austin, TX 78712, United States
  • c Scripps Mercy Family Medicine Residency, 499 H Street, Chula Vista, CA 91910, United States
  • d Facultad de Medicina y Psicología, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Calzada Universidad #14418, Parque Industrial Internacional Tijuana, Tijuana, BC C.P. 22390, Mexico
  • e Division of Behavioral Medicine, Department of Family Medicine & Public Health, University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, 9500 Gilman Drive #0507, La Jolla, CA 92093-0725, United States
  • f Division of Behavioral Medicine, Department of Family Medicine & Public Health and Dept. of Medicine, University of California San Diego School of Medicine, 9500 Gilman Drive #0507, La Jolla, CA 92093-0725, United States

Abstract

In Mexico, tattooed migrants face discrimination and are at high-risk of incarceration, thus, we assessed whether receiving laser tattoo removal affected the likelihood of incarceration. In 2015–2016, 89 adults ages ≥ 18 years with visible tattoos were recruited at a free-clinic to receive laser tattoo removal or assigned to the wait-list; all completed baseline and 6-month questionnaires. Overall, 97.8% of participants ever migrated to the USA. In multivariate analyses restricted to migrants (n = 87), those receiving laser tattoo removal [Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) 0.27, 95% CI 0.07–0.89] and possessing a Mexican Voting card (AOR 0.14; 95% CI 0.03–0.58) were significantly less likely than wait-list participants to be incarcerated at 6-months. Previously incarcerated participants were significantly more likely to be incarcerated at follow-up. Tattoo removal may reduce incarceration among Mexican migrants. Future studies can assess other health and social benefits of tattoo removal for migrants/deportees returning to Mexico. © 2019, Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.

Author Keywords

Deported migrants Gang tattoos Tattoo removal Mexico incarceration

Index Keywords

[No Keywords available]
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85062621412&doi=10.1007%2fs10903-019-00870-0&partnerID=40&md5=81d1c8790cc91b5cd2e7ab584c1e9495
DOI: 10.1007/s10903-019-00870-0
ISSN: 15571912
Original Language: English