Immigration and Violent Crime: Citizenship Status and Social Disorganization

• NCJ Number: 228164
• Journal: Homicide Studies Volume: 13 Issue: 3 Dated: August 2009 Pages: 227-241
• Author(s): Christa Polczynski Olson; Minna K. Laurikkala; Lin Huff-Corzine; Jay Corzine
• Date Published: August 2009
• Length: 15 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: For related articles see NCJ-228163, and NCJ-228165-71.

Annotation

This study examined the relationship between immigration and crime in Orange County, FL.

Abstract

Results indicate that without exception, the overriding message was that the current wave of immigration into the United States did not increase crime and, in many cases, a higher percentage of immigrants in the population were associated with lower crime rates. Violent crime rates among foreign-born citizens, naturalized citizens, and noncitizens (immigrants) were not higher than those for native-born citizens with one exception; specifically, the rate of sexual assault was highest among immigrants. Also examined was the influence of immigrant concentration and neighborhood structural factors on violent crimes in Orange County census tracts. Findings show that the percentage of immigrants had no impact on violent crimes among native-born and foreign-born citizens. Data were collected from the Orange County Department of Corrections (OCDC) from all arrestees processed and booked at the 33rd Street Jail during the years 2006 and 2007. Notes and references