NCJ Number
44548
Date Published
1931
Length
420 pages
Annotation
THIS 1931 REPORT ANALYZES THE EXTENT OF CRIMINAL INVOLVEMENT BY FOREIGN-BORN AMERICANS, THEIR RELATIONS WITH THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM IN GENERAL, AND PUBLIC ATTITUDES TOWARD THE IMMIGRANT POPULATION AND CRIME.
Abstract
THE EVOLUTION OF PUBLIC OPINION CONCERNING IMMIGRANTS AND CRIME IS TRACED THROUGH THE VARIOUS PERIODS OF AMERICAN HISTORY -- COLONIAL, REVOLUTIONARY, CIVIL WAR, AND UP TO THE TIME OF THE FIRST FEDERAL IMMIGRATION ACT (1882). THE ATTITUDES AND DEVELOPMENTS OF THE 'MODERN PERIOD' (1882 TO 1931) ARE DESCRIBED, INCLUDING ACTIONS TAKEN TO REDUCE (OR ELIMINATE) THE ENTRY OF CONVICTS FROM OTHER COUNTRIES. PUBLIC OPINION IS THEN COMPARED FOR DIFFERENT HISTORICAL PERIODS. STATISTICS ARE PRESENTED RELATING NATIONALITY TO CRIME RATE, TYPE OF CRIME, AND NUMBER OF ARRESTS IN CITIES OF VARYING SIZES. VIOLATIONS OF FEDERAL PROHIBITION LAWS BY FOREIGN-BORN PERSONS ARE ALSO TABULATED, AS WELL AS PETTY OFFENSES, COMMITMENTS TO REFORMATORIES, AND OFFENSES COMMITTED BY NATIVE-BORN CHILDREN OF IMMIGRANT PARENTS. FACTORS WHICH COULD BRING FOREIGNERS INTO CONFLICT WITH THE LAW, BUT WHICH WOULD NOT AFFECT NATIVES, (E.G., LANGUAGE, FOREIGN LAW, AND CUSTOM) ARE ANALYZED. A LARGE SECTION OF THE REPORT IS DEVOTED TO THE PROBLEM OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND MEXICANS IN THE UNITED STATES, SPECIFICALLY IN TEXAS, ILLINOIS, AND SEVERAL CALIFORNIA CITIES. THEIR RELATIONS WITH THE POLICE, DISPENSATIONS OF THEIR CASES IN COURT, SENTENCING, AND THE MEXICAN COMMUNITIES' CONCEPTION OF AMERICAN JUSTICE ARE DISCUSSED. THE RESULTS OF THREE COMMUNITY STUDIES, DONE IN NEW ORLEANS, SAN FRANCISCO, AND STOCKTON, CALIFORNIA TO DETERMINE THE AMOUNT AND NATURE OF CRIME THAT COULD BE ATTRIBUTED TO THE FOREIGN-BORN POPULATION, ARE PRESENTED. GENERAL CONCLUSIONS ON THE PROBLEM ARE OUTLINED.