Immigrants Less Likely Than Native Born Americans to Commit Crime

[LukenDC]

A study of crime in California revealed that immigrants---both legal and illegal---are far less likely to commit crimes than their native born American counterparts. Immigrants make up 35% of the California population, but account for 17% of the adult prison population.

Mexican male immigrants between the ages of 18-40, a group considered to have a large number of illegal immigrants, are eight times less likely than their US-born peers to be in a correctional institution.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080226/us_nm/usa_immigration_crime_dc;_ylt=AlyfyEe_iDQyHR6DmFm2fQtvzwcF

This study contradicts the common perception that Latin American immigrants have strong criminal tendencies. What the article does not address is how many illegal immigrants are arrested for crimes and then deported without going through the criminal justice system.

Also, in Southern California not all illegal entrants from Mexico are immigrants. The San Diego area in particular regularly experiences crimes, usually car thefts and robberies, from illegal entrants who have no intention of emigrating and immediately return home after commiting their crime. I imagine that border communities in other states experience the same phenomenon.

 

[CheshireVal]

A study of crime in California revealed that immigrants---both legal and illegal---are far less likely to commit crimes than their native born American counterparts. .

Just to be nitpicky.... if they're illegal, haven't they already commited a crime?

 

[lovetomow]

Do they take into account that all the illegals are committing a crime each and every day they stay in America?

 

[Kae]

Immigrants make up 35% of the California population

What is the % of women/men? And what is the percentage that is under 18?

Kae

 

[CapeCodTenor]

Just to be nitpicky.... if they're illegal, haven't they already commited a crime?

I was just going to ask this very same question. But I'll add to that. If they are here illegally, then they are already breaking the law. Now, if they are working, then isn't that illegal? I'm wanting to say it is. And if they are working, then they are either working under the table, illegal, or working with either a fake SSN, fraud, or someone else's SSN, identity theft.

 

[Piglets Mommy]

I also noticed that the it said that the article did not take into account the illegals who were arrested and deported.

ITA with the PP's who stated that they are already commiting a crime every day just by being here illegally...They just haven't all been caught yet.

 

[CheshireVal]

A study of crime in California revealed that immigrants---both legal and illegal---are far less likely to commit crimes than their native born American counterparts. Immigrants make up 35% of the California population, but account for 17% of the adult prison population.

Mexican male immigrants between the ages of 18-40, a group considered to have a large number of illegal immigrants, are eight times less likely than their US-born peers to be in a correctional institution.

Also, this study seems kind of flawed if they're only looking at the prison population. Because those are the only people who get caught! I imagine it's not as easy to catch an illegal immigrant because there's no real paper trail of where they've been or might be hiding.

 

[CheshireVal]

I was just going to ask this very same question. But I'll add to that. If they are here illegally, then they are already breaking the law. Now, if they are working, then isn't that illegal? I'm wanting to say it is. I'm also wanting to say that the international students at the conservatory I went to were forbiddent to work off campus. And if they are working, then they are either working under the table, illegal, or working with either a fake SSN, fraud, or someone else's SSN, identity theft.

International students (on student visas) can usually only work on campus.

 

[LisaNJ25]

Just to be nitpicky.... if they're illegal, haven't they already commited a crime?

 

[CapeCodTenor]

International students (on student visas) can usually only work on campus.

Thanks for pointing that out.

 

[LukenDC]

International students (on student visas) can usually only work on campus.

Many student visas allow for a paid practicum (sp?) and a limited number of months of off campus work. I'm in the process of hiring an international student now for a summer job and sorting through the visa issues.

 

[CheshireVal]

Many student visas allow for a paid practicum (sp?) and a limited number of months of off campus work. I'm in the process of hiring an international student now for a summer job and sorting through the visa issues.

Yeah, it's all kind of confusing. I think my husband's stipulated that he could only work off campus after he had been in the country a certain amount of time. Or if he had a certain number of school credits behind him.

I don't remember exactly-- that's all behind us now, thankfully!

 

[Colson39]

Wow, I think I would rather take someone being here illegally or WORKING illegally than someone commiting other crimes. It sounds like some of you don't think that way, and that actually amazes me, in all seriousness.

 

[LukenDC]

Yeah, it's all kind of confusing. I think my husband's stipulated that he could only work off campus after he had been in the country a certain amount of time. Or if he had a certain number of school credits behind him.

I don't remember exactly-- that's all behind us now, thankfully!

It is VERY confusing. It's to the point where any immigration-related issue requires the advice and assistance of an attorney.

 

[CapeCodTenor]

Wow, I think I would rather take someone being here illegally or WORKING illegally than someone commiting other crimes. It sounds like some of you don't think that way, and that actually amazes me, in all seriousness.

Committing a crime is committing a crime, no matter how serious the offense.

 

[Colson39]

Committing a crime is committing a crime, no matter how serious the offense.

So you're equating being here illegally to murdering someone?

You're saying if you're here illegally working, that is as bad as holding someone up at gunpoint?

Sorry, but I'll take an illegal immigrant over a murderer any day, and I can't believe I actually have to say that...lol.

 

[LukenDC]

Committing a crime is committing a crime, no matter how serious the offense.

I have to disagree with that. Child molestation and tax evasion are both crimes, but the former is far more serious and tragic than the latter.

 

[CapeCodTenor]

So you're equating being here illegally to murdering someone?

You're saying if you're here illegally working, that is as bad as holding someone up at gunpoint?

Sorry, but I'll take an illegal immigrant over a murderer any day, and I can't believe I actually have to say that...lol.

Do you care about the laws of this country? So many people are willing to overlook illegal immigration and the problems it causes, and I'm not talking about committing murder or rape, that it astounds me. Now I'll admit that being here illegally is not like committing murder, but being here illegal is breaking the law non the less.

 

[CapeCodTenor]

I have to disagree with that. Child molestation and tax evasion are both crimes, but the former is far more serious and tragic than the latter.

I agree with you that illegal immigration isn't as serious, but it is still breaking the law. Just because it isn't as serious, are we to ignore it?

 

[Colson39]

I don't have any clue where you think I said I don't care about the laws of this country, that's not even a valid rebuttal.

I don't think we should overlook illegal immigration at all, I also don't think it's the "end of the world" screaming and yelling scenario that some people make it out to be. I think there should be enforced borders, and I don't think that people should be here without going through the proper channels.

I just think that there are a lot more important issues that actually affect you and me than illegal immigration.

Speeding is breaking the law as well. What is more dangerous to Americans, illegal immigrants, or speeding? Look at the amount of deaths and injuries, insurance premium rates, and money shelled out because of speeding every year to your average American. In the end, I would be a lot more worried about speeding than illegal immigration if we want to simply say "breaking the law is breaking the law".