Immigration

How immigration reduces crime

Name of student:

Institution:

Lecturer:

HOW IMMIGRATION REDUCES CRIME

Immigration is common and rampant especially in rich countries, where both legal and illegal immigrants swam in large numbers .This happens due to many reasons which include seeking for employment opportunities, security and places for settlement. It also has several outcomes. Reduction in crime is considered to be one of these many outcomes that are brought by immigration. Despite being a positive effect, it has been met with many controversies, since most illegal and low- skilled immigrants are poor and more likely to commit crime so as to survive. In addition, most of them are drug addicts, which also enhance their chances of being on the wrong side of the law. On the contrary, several studies have shown that areas experiencing immigration are associated with low levels of crime and violence. (Kade, 2010).These studies indicate that most immigrants live in poverty-stricken areas, and that serves as evidence that they can’t commit crimes and yet stay in these conditions. Also, most immigrants stay together in the same neighborhood. (Kade, 2010) This boosts their unity and like-mindedness, which in turn leads to reduction of crime rates.

Most immigrants move because of insecurity in their own countries. The thought of going back motivates them to maintain peace and avoid anything that may lead to incarceration or deportation. They also maintain their traditions and cultures, from which they believe wealth, honor and opportunities are not awarded through criminal activities, (Kade, 2010).,but through hard work, in fact, it is not surprising when immigrants appear to be more socially functional than their native –born counterparts. Legal immigration applicants are usually screened for criminal records. This increase the odds that those admitted in the country are law abiding. Among the immigrants, rate of youth delinquency, which includes activities like...