Immigration and Crime: A Public Policy Red Herring
Federal immigration policy remains at the forefront of national dialogue, but the debate is nothing new—it has been a constant throughout our nation’s history. Equally long-standing is the shared belief among some policymakers and voters that increases in immigration lead to increases in crime and that immigrants are more likely to commit crimes than native-born citizens. It is vital that policymakers, and the general public, utilize accurate, rigorous, and timely information as it relates to immigration and crime rates in order to prevent harmful, wasteful, and ineffective policy decisions. This research brief responds to this critical need by offering a thorough, balanced, and evidence-based overview of the actual relationship between immigration and crime.