Inconvenient Truth v. Stereotypes on Immigration

Here are some facts that should surprise the Oregon Legislature which just let the myths of immigrant crime change its thinking on issuing drivers’ licenses.

Immigrants generally, and especially undocumented immigrants, are less likely to commit serious crime than native-born citizens, according to a Report released by the Public Policy Institute of California earlier this week. Several cities show a drop in police activity despite recent waves of immigration. The findings are contrary to the stereotyped and demogoguing outcry that cities with large foreign-born populations are crime-ridden. The study also concludes that the children of immigrants are not adding to any crime wave.

"The type of people who are immigrating are less likely to commit crimes because they're here for jobs," said Kathleen Butcher, a professor at Wellesley College and a fellow for the nonpartisan policy research group. In Oregon, these are people who will now have a harder time getting to work, as they will no longer seek drivers’ licenses.

Another important conclusion, which will no doubt be lost this election year:

“Taken together, our findings suggest that spending additional dollars to reduce immigration or to increase enforcement against the foreign-born will not have a high return in terms of public safety. The foreign-born in California already have extremely low rates of criminal activity.”
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