IMIGRATION CRIMES Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

IMIGRATION CRIMES - Essay Example To clear this dilemma, this research investigates on the relationship between immigration and crime in the USA. Statement of the Problem Different studies carried out around the world have led to opposing views on whether or not immigration correlates with crime. According to Ellis, Beaver & Wright (2009) in ‘The Handbook of Crime Correlates’ which is a review of studies of variables related to crime, a majority of studies carried out on immigrants have led to the discovery of high crime rates. This however differs greatly depending on the countries of origin. Other studies conclude that indigenous population have higher crime rates than immigrants. Actualization of the situation in USA is vital for the establishment of immigration policies advised by facts rather than generalizations. Crime Rates for Immigrants vs. Native-Born Crime rates for immigrants have been discovered to be lower than for the native born by a century of research. During the former period of large scale immigration in the early decades of the 20th century, several federal commissions discovered lower levels of crime amongst those that are foreign born as compared to the native born individuals. A 1994 report by the U.S. Commission on Immigration Reform came to a similar conclusion. Using data from the outcomes of community studies in Miami, El Paso, San Diego and Chicago; the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health; and the 1980, 1990, and 2000 Census, academic researchers have also reached the same conclusion (Ellis, Beaver & Wright, 2009). No matter their legal status, immigrants do not cause or even worsen the problem of crime in the United States (Motomura, 2007). This is not surprising at all as the main aim of most immigrants coming into the United States is to go after educational and economic opportunities which are not available in their home countries; and to make a better living for themselves as well as their families. They therefore have much more to los e and very little to gain by engaging in law breaking activities. Undocumented immigrants especially have even more reason to stay clear of law breaking activities given that they are at a risk of deportation due to their lack of legal status if caught. Violent and Property Crime Rates As the undocumented population doubled in size, there was a subsequent drop in property and violent crime rates. Even though from 1994 to 2005, there was a double increase in the undocumented immigrant population to approximately 12 million, there was a reduction in the property crime rate in the United States by 26.4%. The violent crime rate on the other hand fell by a significant 34.2% (Schaefer, 2011). This reduction in crime rate experienced was not only national but also happened in the border cities plus other cities that have large populations of immigrants. Some of these cities include Miami, Chicago, New York, Los Angeles, El Paso and San Diego. The reduction in crime rate was in part because of the successful establishment of new strategies in crime-fighting such as community policing which have greatly assisted in formation of cooperative relationships between the police and their communities. How successful such cooperative approaches to law enforcement will be in immigrant communities is dependent on how willing crime witnesses and victims are to come forward to the police (Ellis, Beaver & Wright, 2009). This should be irrespective of their legal status or the legal status of members of their family. According to data