Homicide risk among immigrant women in New Jersey, 2003-2005

Background: Overall, death rates for immigrants tend to be lower than for the US-born population. However, some studies suggest that immigrants are at increased risk of death from injuries and violence. The New Jersey Violent Death Reporting System (NJVDRS) was used to identify homicide risk factors for immigrant women.

Methods: NJVDRS homicide data from 2003-2005, New Jersey resident females, were analyzed based on age, race and ethnicity, victim's birthplace, and suspect-victim relationship status as a past or present intimate partner. Age- and race-adjusted rates were calculated using New Jersey resident foreign-born population estimates from the American Community Survey, and rate ratios were calculated.

Results: The age-adjusted homicide rate for foreign-born females was 1.63 per 100,000, double that of native-born white non-Hispanic females. The intimate partner homicide rate for foreign-born females was 0.77 per 100,000, again double the reference rate. Rate ratios for homicide and intimate partner homicide were nearly identical, 2.12 (CI₉₅ 1.74, 2.57) and 2.14 (CI₉₅ 1.29, 3.55), respectively. However, when race-adjusted rates were calculated, the effect of nativity on homicide risk was modulated, suggesting that immigrants' homicide risk is related to victim's race and Hispanic ethnicity as well as nativity.

Conclusions: Foreign-born females appear to be at particular risk for homicide, especially by intimate partners, but that risk appears to be a function of race and ethnicity, as well as nativity.