13 Feb Study Finds No Link Between Immigration and Crime

MedicalResearch.com Interview with:

Dr. Robert Adelman

Robert Adelman PhD
Associate professor of sociology
University at Albany, SUNY 

MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?

Response: Our study examines Census and FBI data across four decades from 1970 to 2010. We analyze data for 200 randomly selected U.S. metropolitan areas. Our results show strong and stable evidence that for murder, robbery, burglary, and larceny as immigration increases, on average, in American metropolitan areas, crime decreases. We find no impact of immigration on aggravated assault.

MedicalResearch.com: What should readers take away from your report?

Response: Based on our research, but also the larger literature on this issue, there is no support for the enduring assumption that increases in immigration are associated with increases in crime.

MedicalResearch.com: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this study?

Response: More research is needed at multiple levels of analysis to continue the study of immigration and crime.  

MedicalResearch.com: Is there anything else you would like to add?

Response: Immigrants often contribute to the communities they move to; from economic revitalization to population growth, social and economic vitality are among the benefits associated with immigration. 

MedicalResearch.com: Thank you for your contribution to the MedicalResearch.com community.

Citation:

Robert Adelman, Lesley Williams Reid, Gail Markle, Saskia Weiss, Charles Jaret. Urban crime rates and the changing face of immigration: Evidence across four decades. Journal of Ethnicity in Criminal Justice, 2016; 15 (1): 52 DOI: 10.1080/15377938.2016.1261057

Note: Content is Not intended as medical advice. Please consult your health care provider regarding your specific medical condition and questions.

More Medical Research Interviews on MedicalResearch.com

[wysija_form id=”5″]

Last Updated on February 13, 2017 by Marie Benz MD FAAD