Immigration and Crime in the U.S.

SOURCE npr.org
The Republican response to President Biden's State of the Union speech highlighted the murder of Laken Riley, a student killed by a Venezuelan migrant. However, research shows that immigrants commit less crimes than U.S.-born people, with studies indicating lower incarceration rates and no correlation between undocumented immigrants and a rise in crime.

Key Points

  • Immigrants are 60% less likely to be incarcerated than U.S.-born individuals.
  • Undocumented immigrants were 37.1% less likely to be convicted of a crime in Texas.
  • No link found between undocumented immigrants and a rise in violent or property crime.

Pros

  • Research indicates that immigrants commit less crimes than U.S.-born individuals.
  • Studies show lower incarceration rates among immigrants compared to U.S.-born people.
  • No correlation found between undocumented immigrants and a rise in crime.

Cons

  • Widespread belief that immigrants bring crime, despite evidence to the contrary.