Fact Check: "Crime brought into the U.S. through the southern border is downplayed by blue states."
What We Know
The claim suggests that blue states (generally Democratic-led states) are minimizing the impact of crime associated with immigration through the southern border. However, data from various studies and reports indicates a more complex relationship between immigration and crime rates. According to a Northeastern University study, crime rates in the U.S. have been on a downward trend, even as the immigrant population has increased significantly. For instance, the foreign-born population rose from 6.2% in 1980 to 15.6% in 2024, while violent crime fell by 10.3% during the same period (source-2).
Furthermore, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) reported a significant number of encounters with individuals at the southern border, including those with criminal backgrounds. In Fiscal Year 2025, there were over 140,000 encounters, with a notable number of arrests involving individuals with criminal convictions (source-3). However, this data does not necessarily correlate with an increase in overall crime rates in the U.S.
Analysis
The assertion that blue states downplay crime related to immigration is not directly supported by the available data. While it is true that some reports highlight the number of encounters and arrests of individuals with criminal backgrounds at the border, the broader context shows that immigrants, including undocumented individuals, do not contribute to increased crime rates in the way often suggested by political narratives.
Jacob Stowell, a criminologist, emphasizes that there is "absolutely no evidence" linking increased immigration to rising crime rates, stating that communities with higher immigrant populations often experience lower crime rates (source-2). This phenomenon is sometimes referred to as the "immigration effect," where the presence of immigrants correlates with decreased crime, particularly violent crime.
On the other hand, reports from the House Committee on Homeland Security highlight the challenges posed by illegal immigration, including the presence of individuals with criminal records (source-3). These reports can be seen as politically motivated, aiming to emphasize the risks associated with immigration policies under the Biden administration. The credibility of such sources can be questioned due to their potential bias, as they are often aligned with specific political agendas.
Overall, while there are legitimate concerns regarding crime and immigration, the evidence suggests that the narrative of blue states downplaying crime associated with immigration does not hold up under scrutiny. The data indicates that crime rates have generally decreased, even as immigration has increased.
Conclusion
Verdict: Partially True
The claim that crime brought into the U.S. through the southern border is downplayed by blue states is partially true in that there are differing narratives regarding immigration and crime. While some reports emphasize the risks associated with immigration, substantial evidence indicates that immigrants do not significantly contribute to rising crime rates. The relationship between immigration and crime is complex, and while there are valid concerns regarding specific incidents, the overall trend shows that crime rates have decreased alongside rising immigration.
