Does Immigration Reduce Crime Rates or Make it Worse?

Do you know which country has the most immigrants per capita? Do you think that they are swarming in crime? Do you wish to live in a country with little or no immigration because it would seem that the environment would be better there? The evidence will surprise you!

Because of the wonderful climate, rich resources, low taxes, and the oil, service, and construction industries, the Gulf States of Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait now attracts the largest immigrant numbers. However, they don't stay long, an average of maybe a few years. Then, as quick as they came, they return back to their native countries.

Russia and Germany are second and third to being the highest immigration destination spot. They command 5% of the world's immigrants.

Openness in society, economic stability, educational opportunities, and social mobility for everyone are attractive features for a country to attract large numbers of immigrants. This is why Japan is dead last for immigrants to migrate there. They are also xenophobic, which means they don't want their country and race muddied by the diversities of other countries. They prefer to keep their sacred culture as pure as possible.

Saudi Arabia is the fourth largest immigrant recipient, incredibly. Despite the lack of upholding equality between the sexes, people in general are attracted to this country due to aforementioned attractive features. Three percent of the world's immigrants settle down in Saudi Arabia.

When it comes to settling down and developing roots in a country, no other country compares to the US. We simply have all of the components of a great country that most humankind is very drawn to. But does that put us at risk for crime spikes and cultural deterioration because we are number one (20% overall) to receiving immigrants?

Contrary to popular stereotypes, areas undergoing immigration are associated with lower violence, not spiraling crime, according to a new study. The Harvard study indicates that immigrants are not more likely to commit crimes and settle in poor, unorganized, urban plighted neighborhoods. It's a media and Hollywood faux paw! In fact, when neighborhoods are densely concentrated with immigrants, this commodore between like-minded people drives crime rates down.

In Mexican- American neighborhoods, this is especially self evident. It's called the "Latino Paradox" whereby Hispanic Americans do better on a range of social indicators - including propensity to violence - than one would expect, given their socioeconomic disadvantages. They are very protective against their neighborhoods going downhill with violence. First generation Mexican-Americans are 45% less likely to be violent and resort to crime than third generation Mexican Americans (14%). The reason for this phenomenon is because they are motivated to work, accumulate wealth, have a large amount of ambition, and don't want to be deported. Think about it. They have overcome enormous obstacles just to get into this country and become a natural citizen. Why would they want to return to their horrific life back in Mexico?

This is not limited amongst Latinos. The Black immigrants share this same sentiment. They are among the most patriotic Americans. We as Americans have failed to reflect upon how immigrants have shaped this great nation of ours.

Significant immigration growth - including by illegal aliens - occurred in the mid-1990s, peaking at the end of the decade. During this time, the national homicide rate plunged. It didn't increase, it went down! This is because a disproportionate amount of immigrants come from countries that have cultures whereby violence and crime doesn't award wealth, opportunities, and honor. The American culture does award those behaviors, thus the spike in violence amongst third-generation immigrants. We are the ones that "poison" these immigrants with our liberal, lackadaisical culture!

Correlating crime to immigrants is a casual one, and an societal myth. Another reputable study states the incarceration rate for native-born men in the 18-39 age group was five times higher than for foreign-born men in the same age group. Even taking into consideration poverty and education, immigrants were the lowest percentage among young men to violate the law.

While people born abroad make up about 35% of California's adult population, they account for only about 17% of the adult prison population. Why would someone here illegally want to call attention to themselves? Think about the absurdity of blaming all of the problems in America to a small portion of the population that wants nothing to do with the spotlight!

So ask yourself this, considering all that was discussed above. Do you still want to live in a country with little or no immigrants? (Remember, the factors that don't attract immigrants to some countries). Are we, as the highest immigrant recipient, really swarming with immigrant-related crime? I will stay here in the US, thank you, the sweetest melting pot of the world!