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 News from Around the Americas | February 2008 
Study: Immigrants Jailed Less In California
 Isabelle Duerme - AHN
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| | Mexican immigrants between 18 and 40 years old, the population which was determined to most probably make up most of the illegal immigrant population in the country, were eight times less likely to commit serious crimes and end up in prison, compared to U.S.-born citizens of the same age. | | |
San Francisco, CA - A study recently concluded that the number of immigrant citizens being imprisoned in California is lower compared to the natural-born citizens.
Experts from the Public Policy Institute of California drew their findings from analysis of prison population records, where they said with immigrants making up 35 percent of the state's population, the prisoners had only a 17 percent immigrant prisoner makeup.
According to the data gathered, Mexican immigrants between 18 and 40 years old, the population which was determined to most probably make up most of the illegal immigrant population in the country, were eight times less likely to commit serious crimes and end up in prison, compared to U.S.-born citizens of the same age.
Kristen Butcher, Welllesley College economics teacher and the study's co-author, acknowledged the results, as reported by KPBS News.
"Legal immigrants are screened for illegal activity in their past before they're admitted into the country," said Butcher. "And those who are non-citizens, if they are convinced of certain types of crimes, they are subjected to deportation. So, that might prove a pretty strong disincentive to engage in criminal activity."
Butcher furthered by saying that the gathered numbers may debunk the pre-conceived notion that illegal immigrants contribute to the rise of crime in the country.
According to the San Francisco Chronicle, authorities' treatment of immigrants may have also contributed to the small fraction of immigrant crimes, as one may have been receiving a more lenient treatment from the authorities, with the other being exposed to more strict regulations.
The study also mentioned the deportation of illegal immigrants as a factor that might have affected the database records.
Butcher stated as well that requirements of higher education for legal entry into the U.S., or increased funding to fight immigrant crimes, might not affect the numbers, as they are already low to begin with. |
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