AI is a wonderful thing. I used it here to answer the question.
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The relationship between illegal immigration and crime in the United States is a complex and frequently politicized issue. Research indicates that illegal immigrants do not commit crimes at higher rates than native-born citizens; in fact, in some cases, they may commit crimes at lower rates.
Key Findings from Studies:
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Lower Crime Rates Among Immigrants (Including Undocumented):
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A 2020 study by the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) found that undocumented immigrants have significantly lower crime rates than native-born Americans and even legal immigrants.
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A 2018 study by the Cato Institute (a libertarian think tank) found that illegal immigrants had lower incarceration rates than native-born Americans.
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A 2017 study in the journal Criminology found that increased immigration (including illegal immigration) was associated with lower violent crime rates.
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State-Specific Data:
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Texas (a state with a large undocumented population) has consistently reported that native-born citizens are more likely to commit crimes than undocumented immigrants (Texas Department of Public Safety data).
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California has similarly found that crime rates among undocumented immigrants are lower than among native-born residents.
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Federal Data:
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The U.S. Sentencing Commission found that non-citizens (including undocumented immigrants) accounted for a small percentage of federal crimes, most of which were immigration-related (e.g., illegal entry or re-entry).
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Why Might Undocumented Immigrants Have Lower Crime Rates?
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Self-Selection Effect: People who migrate (even illegally) often seek economic opportunity and stability, making them less likely to engage in criminal behavior.
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Fear of Deportation: Undocumented immigrants may avoid criminal activity to prevent drawing law enforcement attention.
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Demographics: Immigrant populations tend to be younger and male (groups statistically more prone to crime), yet they still commit fewer crimes than native-born peers.
Exceptions & Nuances:
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Certain Crimes May Be Higher: Undocumented immigrants are overrepresented in immigration-related offenses (e.g., illegal entry, identity theft for work documents).
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Local Variations: Some border areas may see higher crime related to smuggling, but this is often tied to cartel activity rather than typical immigrant populations.
Conclusion:
Illegal immigrants generally commit crimes at lower rates than native-born Americans, though political rhetoric often suggests otherwise. Citizens, not undocumented immigrants, commit the most serious crimes in the U.S.. However, immigration-related offenses (like illegal border crossings) do skew some statistics.