Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

A New Study Just Shattered the Myth that Undocumented Immigrants Cause Huge Surges in Crime

A New Study Just Shattered the Myth that Undocumented Immigrants Cause Huge Surges in Crime
Project Manager James O'Loughlin explaining Border Wall prototypes to President Donald J Trump, San Diego, March 13, 2018. Image courtesy Ralph Desio/United States Department of Defense. (Photo by Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images)

Listen up, Donald.

The issue of crimes committed by undocumented immigrants is—according to President Donald Trump and the rest of his administration and supporters—so pervasive it requires a national emergency, military intervention and a multi-billion dollar border wall. But another statistical study—this time by the Marshall Project—blows holes in much of the President's rhetoric.

Their crime analysis asked:


"Is there a connection between undocumented immigrants and crime?"

According to the Marshall Project report:

"It’s a widely held perception, but a new analysis finds no evidence to support it."

Of course this is old news already supported by other studies and analyses. So why does the lie endure?

Each time crime by undocumented  immigrants as a major issue has been questioned or refuted, a press conference is held or news reports shared of the people impacted by the small number of undocumented immigrants who are committing crimes.

And while these exhibitions are done to garner support for the multi-billion dollar border wall along the southern border, the same is not done after another White male United States citizen commits a mass shooting, a crime with no shortage of victims.

It is the equivalent and no less effective argument as "cigarettes don't cause cancer" because everyone knows that one person who smoked a pack a day and lived to be 90. But how many other people did die of cancer?

What are the crime percentages of United States citizens versus undocumented immigrants? This counter argument is what the Marshall Project examined.

Last year the Marshall Project drew criticism for a study they did focused on immigrants and crime.

Border crisis supporters claimed the study was skewed by legal immigrants and a study of undocumented or "illegal immigrants" would show the emergency the Trump administration claims exists.

With this new perspective, The Marshall Project tried to prove border wall enthusiasts theory of undocumented immigrants and crime. But came up with the same result.

They concluded:

"[G]rowth in illegal immigration does not lead to higher local crime rates."

They looked at statistics from 2007 to 2016, before President Trump's crackdown on crime and immigration. Crime related to undocumented immigrants was decreasing from an already low level in 2016.

Much like a recovering economy, Trump also inherited a decreasing crime rate from the administration of President Barack Obama.

The Marshall Project got into the numbers and their meaning.

In some cases, crime dropped with an influx of undocumented immigrants.

They noted the earlier analysis yielded the same result.

People shared the news refuting Trump's border crisis.

One person asked what to do with information people refuse to hear or see. Someone had a solution though.

And one person voiced a preference in neighbors.

Other studies said the same thing, the rhetoric did not change. But what can change are the minds of the undecided.

Sharing facts still matter even if those who need them most are not receptive.

More from People

Donald Trump
Mehmet Eser/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images

Trump Demands 'Boss Of AT&T' Fix Equipment After Failed Conference Call In Bizarre Meltdown

When most of us have technical difficulties, we contact tech support or customer service.

But if you're President of the United States, just ranting on social media—then having your White House Press Secretary post a screenshot of your post on a social media platform people actually use—is apparently the answer.

Keep ReadingShow less
Screenshot of Lauren Boebert speaking to Alex Stein
Prime Time with Alex Stein/Blaze Media

Lauren Boebert Casts Doubt On Moon Landing During Wild Interview With Conspiracy Theorist

Colorado Republican Representative Lauren Boebert was criticized after she seemingly agreed with the conspiracy theory that the moon landing was faked in a wide-ranging interview with conservative conspiracy theorist Alex Stein.

The segment began with the duo casting doubt on nuclear weapons—Boebert even joked about needing "tin foil"—and moved into weirder territory when Stein praised Boebert for "vibing" with him on the topic of the moon landing. Conspiracy theorists have long alleged the moon landing was fabricated by NASA in what they claim was an elaborate hoax.

Keep ReadingShow less
Rosie O'Donnell; Oprah Winfrey
Simon Ackerman/Getty Images; Ernesto Ruscio/GC Images

Rosie O'Donnell Calls Out Oprah For Attending Jeff Bezos' Wedding In Scathing Poem

Among the various celebrity hangers-on who attended Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez's Venice wedding, the one that seemed to generate the most controversy was Oprah Winfrey.

After all, a woman known for her progressive politics whose entire ethos is about teaching people how to be their best selves, attending the wedding of man who directly funded a fascist regime dismantling our country before our eyes doesn't exactly add up.

Keep ReadingShow less
Lisa Murkowski
Kayla Bartkowski/Getty Images

Lisa Murkowski Slammed After Criticizing Massive Budget Bill She Just Voted For

Alaska Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski was slammed after she claimed that President Donald Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill is "not there yet" despite casting the deciding vote to narrowly pass it before sending it back to the House.

In a marathon voting session, the Senate narrowly passed the legislation in a 51-50 vote, with Vice President JD Vance casting the tie-breaking vote after three Republicans joined all Democrats in opposition.

Keep ReadingShow less
Woman listening to her boyfriend play guitar
Photo by Toa Heftiba on Unsplash

Things People Initially Found Attractive About Their Partner That Now Annoy Them

Being in a relationship can be wonderful, but it's not without its ups and downs.

In order for it to work, we have to allow it to grow and change over time rather than being locked forever into what it was when we first started dating our person.

Keep ReadingShow less