Why Do Illegal Immigrants Commit Crime

Over decades, the correlation between illegal immigrants and crime has been debated numerous times. With the presidential election in the back of everyone’s mind, there has been an escalation of people who are voicing their opinions on this issue. There are numerous people who believe that illegal immigrants are violent individuals and the culprits behind the extensive amount of crimes committed. On the other hand, some people believe that illegal immigrants are less likely to commit crime and are not violent individuals. People are divided on this issue: do illegal immigrants have a high rate of criminal activity or the opposite? This paper will examine the crime rates of illegal immigrants and the misconceptions that follow in suit. The statistics and information provided by various sources are relatively diverse and can be interpreted differently. In 2004, the Department of Homeland Security provided an estimate that twenty percent of inmates are immigrants, legal and illegal. To several people, twenty percent may seem like a high number but it is important to consider the type of offenses committed and the difference in …show more content…
A thirty-two year old white woman was shot near a pier and died on her way to the hospital. Sanchez was later arrested and convicted of murder. The debate on illegal immigrants became centered on Sanchez, resulting in a generalization of how illegal immigrants act and behave. Although the news can be quite convincing, it is best to keep in mind that Sanchez alone should not be the mascot that represents the overall population of illegal immigrants. While it is possible that some illegal immigrants can be violent and commit crimes, credible sources help deduce that there is essentially no correlation between crimes and illegal