Ricardo Martinez-Schuldt

Ricardo Martinez-Schuldt is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Sociology at Rutgers University, where he focuses on criminology, immigration policies, and urban sociology. He earned his PhD in Sociology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2019.

His research investigates how local contexts influence crime patterns, immigration enforcement, and institutional responses to marginalized groups. Key areas include sanctuary policies, crime reporting behavior, and the role of consular networks in protecting migrant rights. He co-leads the Chicago Congregation Project, studying religious organizations' community engagement in urban settings.

His work spans transnational migration dynamics, U.S.-Mexico relations, and the sociopolitical impacts of immigration policies. Notable themes in his publications include sanctuary city debates, the effects of consular services on migrant labor claims, and the relationship between immigration and crime rates.

As co-principal investigator of the Chicago Congregation Project, he employs mixed methodologies to analyze congregations' roles in urban communities. His research bridges criminology, migration studies, and policy analysis, contributing to debates on social control, human rights, and institutional responses to migration.