Immigrants Commit Less Crime

[FOTD]

Keep the immigrants and deport the government.

http://www.reuters.com/article/domesticNews/idUSN246261520080226

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Immigrants are far less likely than the average U.S.-born citizen to commit crime in California, the most populous state in the United States, according to a report issued late on Monday.

People born outside the United States make up about 35 percent of California's adult population but account for about 17 percent of the adult prison population, the report by the Public Policy Institute of California showed.

According to the report's authors the findings suggest that long-standing fears of immigration as a threat to public safety are unjustified. The report also noted that U.S.-born adult men are incarcerated at a rate more than 2 1/2 times greater than that of foreign-born men.

"Our research indicates that limiting immigration, requiring higher educational levels to obtain visas, or spending more money to increase penalties against criminal immigrants will have little impact on public safety," said Kristin Butcher, co-author of the report and associate professor of economics at Wellesley College.

The study did not differentiate between documented immigrants and illegal immigrants.

The question of what to do about the millions of undocumented workers living in the United States has been one of the major issues in the U.S. presidential election. Mexico, which accounts for a high proportion of illegal immigrants in California, was deeply disappointed at the U.S. Congress' failure to pass President George W. Bush's overhaul of immigration laws last year.

When Butcher and her co-author, Anne Morrison Piehl, associate professor of economics at Rutgers University, considered all those committed to institutions including prison, jails, halfway houses and the like, they found an even greater disparity.

Among men 18 to 40, the population most likely to be in institutions because of criminal activity, the report found that in California, U.S.-born men were institutionalized 10 times more often than foreign-born men (4.2 percent vs. 0.42 percent).

Among other findings in the report, non-citizen men from Mexico 18 to 40 -- a group disproportionately likely to have entered the United States illegally -- are more than eight times less likely than U.S.-born men in the same age group to be in a correctional institution (0.48 percent vs. 4.2 percent).

"From a public safety standpoint, there would be little reason to further limit immigration, to favor entry by high-skilled immigrants, or to increase penalties against criminal immigrants," the report said.

(Reporting by Duncan Martell; Editing by Adam Tanner and Bill Trott)

To decrease crime, increase Latinos.

[tulsascoot]

Don't tell Sauerkraut! It'll diminish his reasons to hate Mexica...uhh...I mean illegal aliens.

[Gaspar]

Kind of a silly article.  Who has a problem with immigrants?  Most immigrants come here to work hard and make a life that they can't get in their own countries.  They should be respected, in many cases more than the naturally born who squander the opportunities that this country offers.

I think the only concern anyone has with foreign born folks, is with ILLEGAL ALIENS, not with immigants.  TWO COMPLETELY DIFFERENT THINGS!

This article has nothing to do with ILLEGAL ALIENS who do commit a significant amount of crime, starting with the crimes of breaking in to a country, using false IDs to acquire credit, jobs, housing, and healthcare.  

Am I wrong?

[cannon_fodder]

I assume this article includes illegal immigration, says it says 35% of the population is immigrant.

While I agree with the premise and support a more open immigration policy, I should point out that the prison population is not indicative of crimes committed.  An alien who commits a crime is probably more likely to be deported than serve jail time.  So an absence of them in prison would stand to reason.

Though... I would still think with the prospect of "discovery" and/or deportation looming and the primary reason for being here as work and profit - that the group would be less inclined to get in trouble anyway.

[guido911]

Reuters is taking the same position as Geraldo Rivera. Speaks volumes as to the article's credibility...

[inteller]

quote:Originally posted by guido911

Reuters is taking the same position as Geraldo Rivera. Speaks volumes as to the article's credibility...

look where it was published....San Fran.  That says it all.

[TeeDub]

I have one fundamental problem with the study.

If you are an illegal immigrant.....   (Who doesn't see where this is going?)

Didn't you already break the law?

[Gaspar]

quote:Originally posted by cannon_fodder

I assume this article includes illegal immigration, says it says 35% of the population is immigrant.

While I agree with the premise and support a more open immigration policy, I should point out that the prison population is not indicative of crimes committed.  An alien who commits a crime is probably more likely to be deported than serve jail time.  So an absence of them in prison would stand to reason.

Though... I would still think with the prospect of "discovery" and/or deportation looming and the primary reason for being here as work and profit - that the group would be less inclined to get in trouble anyway.

CF  There is no such thing as "Illegal" Immigration.  The definition of immigration is: the action of coming to live permanently in a foreign country.

In the United States this "action" includes paperwork and process through legal channels to become a "permanent" resident.

There is however "Illegal" Migration.  This definition is: move from one area or country to settle in another, esp. in search of work.    Illegal Migrants/Aliens are completely different from Immigrants, no matter how hard the media keeps trying to mix the definitions to soften their agenda.

I hope that most people become aware of the HUGE difference.

[guido911]

quote:Originally posted by Gaspar

quote:Originally posted by cannon_fodder

I assume this article includes illegal immigration, says it says 35% of the population is immigrant.

While I agree with the premise and support a more open immigration policy, I should point out that the prison population is not indicative of crimes committed.  An alien who commits a crime is probably more likely to be deported than serve jail time.  So an absence of them in prison would stand to reason.

Though... I would still think with the prospect of "discovery" and/or deportation looming and the primary reason for being here as work and profit - that the group would be less inclined to get in trouble anyway.

CF  There is no such thing as "Illegal" Immigration.  The definition of immigration is: the action of coming to live permanently in a foreign country.

In the United States this "action" includes paperwork and process through legal channels to become a "permanent" resident.

There is however "Illegal" Migration.  This definition is: move from one area or country to settle in another, esp. in search of work.    Illegal Migrants/Aliens are completely different from Immigrants, no matter how hard the media keeps trying to mix the definitions to soften their agenda.

I hope that most people become aware of the HUGE difference.

I know this is directed to CF, but please see your avatar.

[jamesrage]

quote:Originally posted by FOTD


Keep the immigrants and deport the government.

http://www.reuters.com/article/domesticNews/idUSN246261520080226
The study did not differentiate between documented immigrants and illegal immigrants.

How convenient.It doesn't surprise me the pro-illegals would try to use such deception.
Illegal immigration a criminal act since it is a misdemeanor(a crime) for the first offense and a felony(a crime) for the second offense.So the study is false.


http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/scripts/ts_search.pl?title=8&sec=1325]

Section 1325. Improper entry by alien
Any alien who (1) enters or attempts to enter the United States at any time or place other than as designated by immigration officers, or (2) eludes examination or inspection by immigration officers, or (3) attempts to enter or obtains entry to the United States by a willfully false or misleading representation or the willful concealment of a material fact, shall, for the first commission of any such offense, be fined under title 18 or imprisoned not more than 6 months, or both, and, for a subsequent commission of any such offense, be fined under title 18, or imprisoned not more than 2 years, or both.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Misdemeanor
A misdemeanor, or misdemeanour, in many common law legal systems, is a "lesser" criminal act. Misdemeanors are generally punished less severely than felonies; but theoretically more so than administrative infractions (also known as regulatory offenses). Many misdemeanors are punished with monetary fines.

In the United States, the federal government generally considers a crime punishable by a year or less in prison to be a misdemeanor.[1] All other crimes are felonies. Many states also follow this.


http://legal.lifetips.com/tip/91383/criminal-law/criminal-law-information/what-is-the-difference-between-a-civil-offense-and-a-criminal-act.html


What is the difference between a civil offense and a criminal act?
A civil offense is anything that would incur a penalty such as a fine and is not technically termed a "crime."

A crime, on the other hand, is any violation of the law that is punishable by a fine or a jail sentence.

[YoungTulsan]

Undocumented immigrants also have a lower likelyhood of their crimes being documented.  How many times have TPD just let someone go instead of filling out a police report when the perp didn't apparently speak english or carry identification?

[cannon_fodder]

Gas,

I think you are trying to say that most Mexicans that come to the United States are just migrant workers, and not immigrants. Implying that they don't want to permanently relocate.  Not that the term "illegal immigration" doesn't itself exist.

If that is the point you were trying to get across than yes, there is a difference.  But since many who come for work stay permanently, raise families, work to get permanent status, peruse citizenship for their children, and often arrive by temporary work visas and over stay them - it would appear a good number do intend "to enter and settle in a country or region to which one is not native (US Embassy Definition)."

Perhaps more importantly, does it matter?  Most people really don't care if you are here to build a life or here to earn some bucks - to most people if you are here doing so outside the set process (which sucks) you are an illegal immigrant.  Nuances be damned.  

It seems people use "migrant workers" (redundant by definition) to refer to the group you are talking about and "illegal immigration" to refer  in a blanket statement to any and all situations that establish an illegal population in the country illegally.  Though technically there are more groups: migrant workers, illegal migrants, immigrants, and illegal immigrants.

Sound about right?

[Gaspar]

quote:Originally posted by cannon_fodder

Gas,

I think you are trying to say that most Mexicans that come to the United States are just migrant workers, and not immigrants. Implying that they don't want to permanently relocate.  Not that the term "illegal immigration" doesn't itself exist.

If that is the point you were trying to get across than yes, there is a difference.  But since many who come for work stay permanently, raise families, work to get permanent status, peruse citizenship for their children, and often arrive by temporary work visas and over stay them - it would appear a good number do intend "to enter and settle in a country or region to which one is not native (US Embassy Definition)."

Perhaps more importantly, does it matter?  Most people really don't care if you are here to build a life or here to earn some bucks - to most people if you are here doing so outside the set process (which sucks) you are an illegal immigrant.  Nuances be damned.  

It seems people use "migrant workers" (redundant by definition) to refer to the group you are talking about and "illegal immigration" to refer  in a blanket statement to any and all situations that establish an illegal population in the country illegally.  Though technically there are more groups: migrant workers, illegal migrants, immigrants, and illegal immigrants.

Sound about right?

We are just arguing over semantics.  

I feel that because the definition of Immigration contains the term "permanent."  It would logically follow that you cannot be considered a "permanent" resident unless you are recognized by the country you are immigrating to as a permanent resident.

I just prefer to use the term "illegal alien" because it distances these people from the good, hardworking, and honest folks who are actually immigrating to the United States to make their lives better and make our country even stronger.

CF, If I were to break into your house, because I like it better than mine, and simply referred to my crime as "illegally relocating" it just sounds so much better than "breaking & entering."  In fact you could almost feel sorry for me because my situation has forced me to illegally relocate.  All I want is the same opportunity to watch Opra on a 52" plasma tv that Cannon Fodder has! []

Over the last few years we have seen the term "Illegal Alien" almost completely dropped in favor of "illegal Immigrant," and as a result,  you start to see articles like the one above that group illegals with legal immigrants in an effort to alter american perceptions.

Immigration to America is a great thing taken on by great people.  Those that want to put Immigration into the same boat (no pun intended) as illegally breaking into this country just disgust me.

Wow!  That was long winded!  I need a nap now!

[cannon_fodder]

quote:I feel that because the definition of Immigration contains the term "permanent." It would logically follow that you cannot be considered a "permanent" resident unless you are recognized by the country you are immigrating to as a permanent resident.

Ahh, got ya. Your initial could be taken a couple of ways.

I understand the difference in the verbage and wholeheartedly agree that there needs to be more of a distinction in political conversation between immigration, migration, and illegal activity.  Resolving the former would go a long way to illuminating the latter.

[Conan71]

Ah yes, when all else fails, parse words.