NCJ Number
119350
Editor(s)
H M Launer,
J E Palenski
Date Published
1989
Length
122 pages
Annotation
This book explores the new immigrant crime problem, providing both descriptive and theoretical data on new immigrant crime activities.
Abstract
Dramatic events, like those portrayed in the 1987 takeover of the Atlanta Federal Penitentiary by Cuban inmates, magnify the complexity of the new immigrant crime problem. In analyzing the crimes of new immigrants, particular attention must be paid to the social and cultural features of immigrant groups. The analysis of new immigrant crime is based on four postulates: (1) the immigrant crime problem is often confused with the very different issue of illegal immigration to the United States; (2) recent immigration to the United States includes nationalities whose members are familiar with American bureaucratic structures; (3) several new immigrant groups are already represented by ethnic groups and communities created by previous immigrants; and (4) the new immigrant crime problem is complicated by the assembly line approach to criminal justice that is prevalent in American urban centers. The book is divided into three sections, the first of which focuses on everyday aspects of new immigrant crime from the perspective of law enforcement and social science policymakers. The second section presents case studies involving Chinese and Mexican-American communities. The third section provides a theoretical understanding of new immigrant crime patterns. 109 references, 3 tables.