Abstract
Despite the increasing number of Latinos/Hispanics living in the U.S. (Rytina & Simanski, 2009), few studies have examined mental health professionals' attitudes, perceptions, and stereotypes toward Latino immigrants and no studies have evaluated professionals' perceptions of the Arizona SB 1070 bill. Therefore, a total of 247 mental health professionals were surveyed across 32 U.S. states in the present study to assess attitudes and the role of multiculturalism on attitudes. Results demonstrated that mental health professionals did not agree with Arizona SB 1070 and also did not support similar bills in other states. In addition, results supported that professionals with high scores on the MCKAS (multicultural awareness and knowledge) also had more positive attitudes and perceptions toward immigrants, and fewer stereotypes when compared to those with lower scores on the MCKAS. Finally, results also showed that participants who were given the scale with the syntax "undocumented immigrants" scored lower on negative perceptions toward Latinos {and thus perceived that the group posed less risk) compared to those who were presented with the syntax "illegal aliens." Future research recommendations are provided and clinical implications are addressed to what programs, interventions, and trainings could implement to foster the continued growth and development of being multiculturally competent.