Story perspectives

Undocumented-immigrant growth shows no violent-crime uptick, study finds

8/20/2026

Summary

Story summary

Researchers in the Journal of Urban Affairs found no detectable change in violent crime in U.S. neighborhoods where the share of undocumented immigrants grew.
Analyzing 11,500 neighborhoods in 100 cities (about 46 million people), they observed greater property-crime reductions and a 2.5 % drop in aggravated assaults.
They suggested law-enforcement concentrate resources to prevent property crime and violent assaults in neighborhoods where residents are disproportionately U.S. citizens.

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Story summary

Researchers in the Journal of Urban Affairs found no detectable change in violent crime in U.S. neighborhoods where the share of undocumented immigrants grew.
Analyzing 11,500 neighborhoods in 100 cities (about 46 million people), they observed greater property-crime reductions and a 2.5 % drop in aggravated assaults.
They suggested law-enforcement concentrate resources to prevent property crime and violent assaults in neighborhoods where residents are disproportionately U.S. citizens.