The (Identification) Cards You Are Dealt: Biased Treatment ofAnglos andLatinos Using Municipal‐Issued versus UnofficialIDCards

The current field experiment investigated if and how L atinos versus A nglos experience biased treatment in a setting where documentation is relevant. In an audit experiment, Latino customers were treated differently than a matched team of A nglo customers when making $10 check payments at retail stores. Specifically, L atinos were asked to present an identification card ( ID ) more frequently than A nglo customers, were quoted a higher minimum‐dollar amount for purchasing a gift certificate, and received more negative affect from salespersons. Among those who were asked for identification, a municipal‐issued ID card was declined at equal rates from L atinos and A nglos, while an unofficial ID card was declined more from A nglos than L atinos. The association of Latino identity with foreignness and undocumented immigration, and the potential of municipal‐ ID card programs to serve undocumented immigrants are discussed.