Jose Alfredo Torres, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor and Department Chair, Criminology and Justice Studies
jatorres@callutheran.edu
(805) 493-3516
Benson House Room 103
Areas of expertise: Dr. Jose Torres' research expertise is on the effects of U.S. immigration and criminal justice laws, policies, and enforcement practices on Latina/o families.
About
Dr. Jose Torres is the Department Chair and Assistant Professor for the Criminology and Justice Studies Program in the Bachelor’s Degree for Professionals Program in the School for Professional and Continuing Studies at California Lutheran University. He has a Ph.D. in Criminology, Law and Society with an emphasis in Chicano/Latino Studies from the University of California, Irvine. He also holds a Master’s degree in Social Ecology from the University of California, Irvine and two Bachelor’s degrees in Sociology: Criminology and Criminal Justice Emphasis and Central American Studies from California State University, Northridge. He has taught in the past at California State University, Northridge, University of California, Irvine, and Orange Coast College.
His research interests focus on the (1) criminalization of Latina/o immigrants in the United States, (2) the effects of immigration laws and enforcement practices on Latino deported fathers and their families, and (3) the effects of parental incarceration on Latina/o college students. Overall, his research interests focus on people's experiences within the criminal justice system and the immigration system in the United States and abroad. He hopes that his research will produce positive changes in U.S. immigration and criminal justice laws and policies.
Education
Ph.D. in Criminology, Law and Society from the University of California, Irvine (2021)
M.A. in Social Ecology from the University of California, Irvine (2017)
B.A. in Sociology: Criminology Emphasis from California State University, Northridge (2015)
B.A. in Central American Studies from California State University, Northridge (2015)
Expertise
Dr. Torres' research focuses on the effects of U.S. immigration and criminal justice laws, policies, and enforcement practices on Latina/o families.
Publications
Torres, J.A., Jr (2025), The Borders Between US: The Effects of Deportation on Men's Romantic Relationships. Sociology Compass, 19: e70047. https://doi.org/10.1111/soc4.70047
(2024). The transnational fathering practices of deported men in El Salvador. Sociology Compass, e13187. https://doi.org/10.1111/soc4.13187
(2023). Multigenerational punishments on the children of Salvadoran immigrant and deported fathers. Sociology Compass, 17(12), e13137. https://doi.org/10.1111/soc4.13137
Torres, J. A. (2021). “The Impact of the United States Immigration Enforcement Regime on Salvadoran Immigrant Fathers in the United States and Deported Fathers in El Salvador.” Doctoral Dissertation: University of California, Irvine. https://escholarship.org/uc/item/3sf0z7gw
Torres, Jose Alfredo. (2017). “Mobilization Strategies within The Immigrant Rights Movement in Los Angeles.” Social Ecology Master’s Thesis: University of California, Irvine. https://escholarship.org/uc/item/84z9f4c2
Torres, Jose Alfredo. (2015). “Masculinity in Salvadoran Gangs: The Normalization of Violence.” La Ceiba Undergraduate Journal 2nd Edition. Northridge, CA. http://laceibajournal.com/2015/04/15/masculinity-in-salvadoran-gangs-the-normalization-of-violence/