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Sociological Research Reveals How Immigrants Can Reduce Crime

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(AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Migrants are seen in custody at a U.S. Customs and Border Protection processing area under the Anzalduas International Bridge, Friday, March 19, 2021, in Mission, Texas.

Newswise, January 2025

Immigration has long been contentious in the U.S. with debates revolving around its perceived link to crime. Recent political shifts have amplified these discussions, fueling public opinion through policies and rhetoric. Isolated incidents of violent crimes committed by undocumented immigrants, as well as outright disinformation, are spotlighted to justify harsh deportation policies. This selective attention distorts views of immigrant communities and ignores systemic factors, such as poverty or lack of access to resources that impact them. Research demonstrates that cities with higher immigrant populations tend to have lower crime rates. This is because immigrants create strong social networks and community cohesion, diminishing the likelihood of crime.

“Typically, communities, cities, and counties with more immigrants have less homicide and violence than places with fewer newcomers,” said Ramiro Martinez of Northeastern University. Martinez also writes, “Unlike their urban counterparts in extremely disadvantaged communities, Latinos have fewer families headed by single parents or even less family disruption than do similarly situated racial/ethnic minority groups. Furthermore, Latino families, including immigrant families with multiple generations residing under the same roof, typically have more members of the extended family in the household than do other racial/ethnic groups.

Continue reading at newswise.com.

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