Examining the Potential Association Between Immigration and Criminal Involvement Using a Nationally Representative and Longitudinal Sample of Youth.

Abstract

There has been a great deal of debate regarding the association between immigration and criminal involvement. Against this backdrop, this study sought to make an incremental increase to the literature by examining the nexus between immigration and crime. To do so, data were drawn from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (N = 7,622-8,334). The results of the multivariate regression models revealed no evidence that immigrants, in comparison with U.S. citizens, self-reported more involvement in nonviolent delinquency or violent delinquency. Where statistically significant effects did emerge, U.S. citizens reported greater involvement in these acts. Moreover, the analyses also did not provide any evidence that immigrants were more likely than U.S. citizens to report being arrested, pleading guilty, being sentenced to probation, or being incarcerated. Once again, U.S. citizens were significantly more likely to have contact with the criminal justice system when compared with immigrants. These results suggest that the potential link between immigration and crime is likely complex and is not a straightforward association. We conclude by discussing some of the implications of the findings and directions for future research.