Key Takeaways
• Native-born Americans are incarcerated nearly twice as often as undocumented immigrants, and almost four times as often as legal immigrants.
• Texas data show U.S. citizens are arrested at up to four times the rate of undocumented or legal immigrants across most crime types.
• Comprehensive studies confirm immigrants—regardless of legal status—commit significantly fewer crimes than U.S.-born citizens, contradicting common myths.
Recent studies have focused on the relationship between crime rates and immigration status, especially looking at how undocumented immigrants, legal immigrants, and people born in the United States 🇺🇸 compare. The facts give a much clearer picture than some public beliefs. Even though some assume immigrants might commit more crimes, the data show that both undocumented immigrants and legal immigrants have much lower crime rates than U.S. natives. This is true across many types of crimes, from violent crimes to drug and property offenses.
Below, we will examine what the data say about crime differences, dig into the reasons these gaps may exist, and consider what these statistics mean for the country’s immigration policies and public perceptions. This analysis draws only from the statistics and research listed in the provided sources and arranges the information to be as simple and clear as possible, without using complicated words.
What the Numbers Show About Crime Rates
Incarceration Rates: Who Is in Jail?
The number of people in jail, called the incarceration rate, is a common way to measure serious crime. According to data from 2023:
- For every 100,000 people, 1,221 native-born Americans are currently in jail or prison.
- For every 100,000 undocumented immigrants, 613 are behind bars.
- For every 100,000 legal immigrants, 319 are incarcerated.
This means native-born Americans are almost twice as likely to be in jail as undocumented immigrants and nearly four times as likely as legal immigrants. The gap is large and steady over time, and these patterns are seen in several studies and locations.
Arrests for Different Kinds of Crimes
Arrest data from Texas show these patterns are true for different types of crimes:
| Crime Type | Natives vs. Undocumented: Arrest Likelihood |
|---|---|
| Violent Crimes | Natives are more than twice as likely to be arrested |
| Drug Crimes | Natives are two-and-a-half times more likely |
| Property Crimes | Natives are over four times more likely |
For almost every major kind of crime, U.S. citizens are arrested at higher rates than both undocumented and legal immigrants. This even includes very serious crimes, like homicide (killing someone) and sexual assault. An exception was found in one Texas study: legal immigrant arrest rates for sexual assault were higher than those for U.S. citizens, but this was not found in other studies or for other crimes.
Breaking Down the Data: Who Commits What Crimes?
Looking more closely, both undocumented and legal immigrants are less likely to be arrested for:
- Violent crimes (like assault or homicide)
- Drug crimes (like drug possession or dealing)
- Property crimes (such as theft or burglary)
For example, in Texas, if you are a native-born American, you are twice as likely to be arrested for a violent crime compared to an undocumented immigrant. For drug crimes, you are two-and-a-half times more likely. If we look at property crimes, you are over four times more likely to be arrested as a native than an undocumented immigrant.
Trends Over the Years
Some people worry that crime by undocumented immigrants is increasing. However, data show this is not the case. If anything, these differences have stayed steady or grown slightly over time. This is mostly because crime rates among U.S.-born citizens have risen a bit, while rates among immigrants, legal or undocumented, have hardly changed.
Why Do These Crime Rate Gaps Exist?
Experts have proposed several reasons why both undocumented immigrants and legal immigrants have lower crime rates than natives:
- Fear of Deportation: Many undocumented immigrants know that if they are caught committing a crime, they might be deported. Even legal immigrants can face deportation for some offenses. This extra risk means many will avoid any activity that could get them into trouble.
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Long-Term Planning: Immigrants often take great risks to move to the United States 🇺🇸, hoping for a better future. This future focus often makes them less likely to risk their chances by committing crimes after arrival.
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Strong Community Connections: Immigrant communities often have tight social networks. These close bonds can make people feel stronger social pressure not to break the law.
Studies back this up, showing the trends remain even when taking into account differences like age and gender. Undocumented immigrants tend to be younger and male, groups that often have higher crime rates. But even when researchers consider these factors, immigrants—especially legal immigrants—still have lower crime rates than natives. The gap only gets a little smaller after taking age and gender into account.
What Do These Findings Mean for Policy and Public Opinion?
Even though some people are concerned that immigrants, especially those without legal status, might bring more crime, the facts do not support this worry. As reported by VisaVerge.com, detailed reviews of data show that neither undocumented immigrants nor legal immigrants raise overall crime or put more people in jail in the United States 🇺🇸.
In fact, one study found that if American-born people were jailed at the same rate as either legal or undocumented immigrants, hundreds of thousands fewer people would be in U.S. prisons each year. This is a huge difference and one that shows the strong impact of these lower crime rates among immigrant groups.
Quotes from Research
A clear way to sum this up comes from a direct statement in a study by the American Immigration Council:
“Immigrants—including undocumented immigrants—are less likely to commit crimes than the U.S.-born.” [3]
This isn’t just one study’s result; it is what has been found time and again, even when looking at different places, types of crime, or times in history.
Digging Deeper: Comparing Groups and Controlling for Differences
When studying crime rates, it is important to compare “apples to apples.” Researchers try to control for things like age, gender, and ethnic background, making sure the comparisons are fair. Even when doing this, immigrant groups still have lower rates of crime and incarceration than people born in the country.
For example, even though young men usually commit the most crimes, the lower crime rates among immigrants hold true when focusing only on young men. The gap may shrink a little, but it almost never disappears.
How the Crime Rate Gaps Matter to Everyday Life
Understanding these differences matters a lot. When some people hear about crime, they might think immigration is to blame. If lawmakers write new laws based on wrong ideas about immigrants and crime, they could make policies that harm millions of people who are, in reality, less likely to commit crimes.
Cities and towns might also consider these facts when making choices about working with immigrant communities or spending money on police or jails. For example, if local leaders know that immigrants are less likely to commit crimes, they might choose to focus on building strong community relationships instead of harsh enforcement.
Common Misunderstandings
One major misunderstanding is that undocumented immigrants commit more crimes, but all solid research points in the opposite direction. Many studies, including those reviewed by the Migration Policy Institute and the National Institute of Justice, agree: immigrants of any legal status do not drive up crime rates. In fact, the highest crime rates are most often seen among people born in the United States 🇺🇸.
Some may wonder about special cases, like the higher rate of sexual assault arrests among legal immigrants in one Texas study. While it is true in that case, the finding was not seen in other locations or for other types of crimes. Overall, for nearly every kind of offense, immigrants are less likely to be arrested.
Data Limitations and What to Watch For
It’s always important to recognize what data can and cannot tell us. In some places, data collection may not be perfect, and mistakes can occur. Sometimes, undocumented immigrants might be less likely to report crimes or might avoid interactions with law enforcement out of fear, making the data harder to interpret. Still, the consistent findings across many studies and methods make experts confident about these trends.
The Big Picture
To sum up, the gap in crime rates between U.S.-born people, legal immigrants, and undocumented immigrants is large and clear. Native-born Americans are jailed and arrested at much higher rates for nearly all crime types. These gaps are not new and have sometimes grown over time as crime among people born in the country has risen a bit, while rates among immigrant groups remain steady.
Understanding this reality is important for anyone interested in immigration policy and public safety. When talking about immigration’s impact on society and crime, it is crucial to look at the facts, not just public fears or stereotypes.
For readers interested in reviewing the underlying statistics and details, official information can be found at the Migration Policy Institute’s Immigrants and Crime webpage.
Final Takeaways
- Native-born Americans have much higher crime and incarceration rates than both legal immigrants and undocumented immigrants.
- This pattern is true across most types of crime and over time.
- Arguments that immigration leads to higher crime are not supported by the evidence.
- Things like risk of deportation, strong family or community ties, and a focus on future goals likely play roles in why immigrant crime rates are lower.
- Policymakers and the public should use these facts when thinking about laws and community programs.
The best way to make decisions around immigration is by using real data and research—not myths or hunches. These facts help tell the true story: immigrants, regardless of legal status, are much less likely to commit crimes than those born in the United States 🇺🇸.
Learn Today
Undocumented Immigrants → Individuals residing in the United States without official authorization, lacking valid immigration status or necessary documentation.
Incarceration Rate → The number of individuals in jail or prison per 100,000 people, used to measure crime prevalence and severity.
Legal Immigrants → People who have received official permission to live and work in the United States from the government.
Deportation → The legal process by which someone is removed from the United States for violating immigration or other laws.
Public Perception → The commonly held beliefs or opinions among the general population, which may not align with factual data.
This Article in a Nutshell
Contrary to popular belief, research consistently shows both undocumented and legal immigrants commit fewer crimes than U.S.-born citizens. Incarceration and arrest rates are notably lower for immigrants in nearly every crime category. Understanding these facts is essential for developing effective, fair immigration and criminal justice policies based on real data.
— By VisaVerge.com
Read more:
• Colorado immigrants face new deportation deadlines after Supreme Court ruling
• DEA raids Colorado Springs club, arrests over 100 undocumented immigrants
• Fear of Deportation Keeps Many Immigrants from Seeking Medical Care
• Federal funding at risk for states over unemployment benefits for illegal immigrants
• ICE sightings and scams raise concerns for Southern Nevada immigrants
