Fact Check: Illegal aliens are responsible for a significant amount of crime in the U.S.

Fact Check: "Illegal aliens are responsible for a significant amount of crime in the U.S."

What We Know

The claim that illegal aliens are responsible for a significant amount of crime in the U.S. has been a point of contention in political discourse, particularly during the Trump administration. Proponents of this view often cite anecdotal evidence and specific cases of violent crimes committed by undocumented immigrants. However, extensive research and statistical analyses present a different narrative.

According to a study by Jacob Stowell, an associate professor of criminology and criminal justice, the data shows that there is "absolutely no evidence –– none whatsoever –– that [immigrants are driving crime rates up]" (Northeastern News). National crime rates have been on a downward trend since the 1980s, with violent crime falling by 10.3% between 2023 and 2024, a period during which the immigrant population in the U.S. has significantly increased (Northeastern News). In fact, communities with higher immigrant populations tend to have lower crime rates, a phenomenon referred to as the "immigration effect" (Northeastern News).

Analysis

While there are statistics that show arrests of undocumented immigrants for specific crimes, such as those reported by ICE and CBP, these figures do not provide a complete picture of crime rates in relation to immigration status. The arrests of undocumented individuals often reflect law enforcement priorities rather than actual crime rates. For instance, the Criminal Alien Statistics indicate that a portion of apprehensions involves individuals with criminal backgrounds, but this does not equate to a significant contribution to overall crime rates.

Moreover, Stowell's research highlights that undocumented immigrants have lower criminal offending rates compared to natural-born citizens (Northeastern News). This is crucial because it challenges the narrative that illegal immigration correlates with increased crime. The claims made by some political figures often lack empirical support and fail to consider the broader context of crime trends in relation to immigration.

The sources that support the claim of increased crime due to illegal immigration tend to focus on isolated incidents or specific data points without providing a comprehensive analysis of crime statistics over time. In contrast, studies from reputable academic institutions, such as Northeastern University, offer a more nuanced understanding of the relationship between immigration and crime, suggesting that increased immigration is often associated with decreased crime rates.

Conclusion

Verdict: False

The assertion that illegal aliens are responsible for a significant amount of crime in the U.S. is not supported by empirical evidence. Research indicates that crime rates have generally decreased as immigration has increased, and undocumented immigrants are statistically less likely to commit crimes than native-born citizens. The narrative that links illegal immigration with rising crime appears to be more politically motivated than factually substantiated.

Sources

1. Criminal Alien Statistics
2. Criminal Alien Statistics Fiscal Year 2024
3. Do Immigrants Increase Crime in the US?
4. ICE Arrests Child Sex Abusers, Murderers, and Violent Criminal Illegal Aliens
5. 100 days of record-breaking immigration enforcement in the US interior
6. Seven Facts on Immigration that Every American Should Know
7. ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Statistics
8. How Many Illegal Aliens Are in the United States? 2025 Update