What you may have heard:
You may have heard in the news that crime rates go up with immigration. You may have heard the idea that closing the borders or building a wall will protect you. You may have seen violent arrests and raids by ICE on TV or social media, with the narrative that ICE is trying to keep your community safe by targeting immigrants. You may be wondering, are immigrants dangerous? Should I be scared? Are there really more violent crimes in so-called sanctuary cities where immigrants are welcome and protected? In this article, we break down the facts so you can make sense of the news and stay informed with level-headed information. This article can also be a great reassuring resource to send to a friend or loved one who has mentioned these concerns or fears.
Fact or fiction?
The idea that immigrants are dangerous is not true. Data on crime does not support the claim that the U.S. is experiencing a surge in crime due to immigrant communities. In fact, immigrant communities have been shown to make communities safer:
- When there are more immigrants in a community, there are actually lower crime rates and an increase in factors that are linked to neighborhood safety, like social connection and economic opportunities.
- Data collected in all 50 states from 1990 – 2014 shows that violent crime does not increase with undocumented immigrant communities.
- U.S.-born citizens are arrested for criminal activity far more often than undocumented immigrant communities: U.S.-born citizens are more than 2 times more likely to be arrested for violent crimes, 2.5 times more likely to be arrested for drug crimes, and more than 4 times as likely to be arrested for property crimes.
- People born in America are typically found to be more involved in violence than immigrants of any legal status.
The data collected over decades across America shows over and over again that there is no correlation between immigrant communities and rising crime.
Where did this false narrative come from?
This false narrative linking immigrants to crime is not new, it goes as far back as the 1800s in America and has been used against every new community of immigrants. Historically, this narrative has been used against Irish, Catholic, Jewish, Italian, Mexican, Japanese, Chinese, and German people, who came to America for the same reasons we see today: to seek safety from political unrest, environmental disasters, famine, persecution, and for religious freedom and a chance at a better future. This centuries-old narrative is rooted in nationalism and is meant to make you scared enough to justify harsh immigration policies, brutal enforcement tactics, widespread detention, and mass deportations.
Over the last year, ICE raids have become more frequent and more violent. These large-scale arrests get a lot of news coverage on TV and social media. When you see armed, masked agents rounding people up to arrest them, you may assume they’re arresting people for a crime, which reinforces the idea that crime is rising. However, data shows that as of April 2026, 70% of the people ICE has detained have no criminal record. Just because there is more enforcement does not mean there is more crime.
The performative nature of these arrests and the amount of media coverage they get should not outweigh the facts: immigrants make communities safer. In fact, ICE raids have been shown to make communities less safe. The threat of encountering ICE agents and being disappeared has made many people withdraw from public life for fear that they will be targeted. This fear has led some people to be too afraid to call the police or an ambulance when they need help. ICE has a history of detaining people as they show up for their scheduled immigration court hearing, making it an impossible choice to follow the law or get detained. ICE has created a culture of fear that makes communities less safe for everyone and more difficult for people to adhere to their legally required immigration court schedule.
What actually causes higher rates of crime?
The causes of crime are complex and nuanced. If a politician or news source points to a single source to explain rates of crime, they are oversimplifying and misleading you. There is extensive data and evidence that shows which factors actually play a part in rising crime rates, such as:
- Socioeconomic instability: if you are unable to meet your basic needs, such as food, shelter, and health care
- Access to guns in communities
- Social isolation
- Substance abuse
Policies that invest in social safety nets like housing, food, employment, mental health, healthcare, education, and community building are proven to be highly effective in reducing crime. Focusing on immigrant communities is not an effective strategy to reduce crime; it is a distraction fueled by nationalism. Anti-immigrant sentiment and policies can actually make communities less safe.
What is the impact of this false narrative?
This false narrative has real-life consequences that make communities less safe for everyone. Laws that target immigrants break up families, fuel hate crimes against immigrants, and undermine civil liberties for us all. With heightened immigration enforcement and ICE raids comes higher rates of surveillance, like facial recognition, which invades the privacy of everyone – not just immigrants. When we allow immigrants to be disappeared to another country without a chance to argue their case in court, we set the dangerous precedent that due process of the law doesn’t matter for any of us.
Anti-immigrant policies stoke a fear of law enforcement. When people are too scared to report crimes or get help when they need it, communities become less safe. This myth also perpetuates harmful, racist stereotypes about immigrant communities, which fuels more violent hate crimes against immigrants.
Immigrant communities are divided by this myth too, by perpetuating the idea of being a “good vs. bad” immigrant. There is so much pressure to prove your worth as a human being by your immigration status, which is not only dehumanizing but also often out of your control. Many people who are undocumented have open immigration cases, meaning they’re following sanctioned pathways in the hope of securing status. This process can take a long time, and their status is not a personal fault, nor is it a crime – it is a civil offense, like a traffic ticket.
Anti-immigrant myths weaken solidarity by dividing and distracting us from investing in true solutions that reduce crime, like strengthening social safety nets. These myths distract from true immigration reform. To build a more just and humane immigration system, we need to focus on the facts and leave fear behind.
How can you tell if a news source is trustworthy?
If you were fooled by this myth, you’re not alone. Misinformation is everywhere, and it can be difficult to spot. There are so many news outlets competing for attention online, and some outlets are even posing as true news sources and can look legitimate at first glance. Here are a few helpful tips to tell if a news source is legit, from The News Literacy Project.
Red flags to look out for:
- False or untrue content: Publishing a demonstrably false claim without correcting it.
- Clickbait tactics: “Baiting” you with sensationalized language, including misleading or exaggerated headlines, or headlines that are purposely vague to drive clicks.
- Lack of balance: Consistently focusing on one angle or side of a legitimate debate or controversy, while ignoring or distorting other perspectives.
- Manipulated images or videos: Tip – You can do a reverse image search using Google to see if visuals have been misrepresented or altered in some way.
- State-run or state-sponsored propaganda: Using government-controlled news organizations to further national agendas and improve public image.
- Dangerous, offensive, and malicious content: Could include discriminatory language, unverified pseudoscience, and content that promotes violence.