Deportation, Crime, and Victimization

Abstract

We study whether the forced removal of undocumented immigrants from the United States increases crime and victimization in Mexican municipalities. Using individual and municipal panel data on victimization, safety perceptions, and violent crime matched with annual deportation flows from the United States to Mexico, we assess whether municipalities and individuals in closer proximity to geographic repatriation points experience higher crime and perceived insecurity with surges in deportation flows. We also assess the degree to which victimization is concentrated on repatriated immigrants themselves. We find that individuals with greater geographic exposure to deportation flows have a higher likelihood of being victims of robberies and also experience lower perceived personal safety. Deportees themselves are most likely to be crime victims.