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Fact check: What is the percentage of immigrants in the amount of crimes in america

Checked on September 10, 2025

1. Summary of the results

The analyses provided suggest that there is no correlation between the increase in immigrant population and the rise in crime rates in America. In fact, research from various sources indicates that as the immigrant population has grown, the crime rate has actually decreased, with a 30.8% drop in crime between 1980 and 1990, and a 10.3% drop in violent crime between 2023 and 2024 [1]. Additionally, the total crime rate dropped by 60.4% as the immigrant share of the population grew from 6.2% in 1980 to 13.9% in 2022 [2]. Studies have also shown that immigrants have lower crime rates and incarceration rates compared to native-born Americans [3]. Furthermore, immigrants are 60% less likely to be incarcerated than U.S.-born people, according to research from Stanford University [4]. The overall trend suggests that immigrants do not contribute to higher crime rates, and may even have a positive impact on crime rates [2] [3]. However, some sources suggest that the removal of violent criminal illegal aliens may be a factor in the decrease in certain violent crimes [5].

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

Some key context missing from the original statement is the definition of "immigrant" and how it relates to crime rates. The analyses provided do not distinguish between documented and undocumented immigrants, which could be an important factor in understanding the relationship between immigration and crime [6]. Additionally, the sources do not provide a specific percentage of immigrants in the amount of crimes in America, which is the original question [6] [3]. Alternative viewpoints, such as the idea that the removal of violent criminal illegal aliens may be a factor in the decrease in certain violent crimes, are also presented [5]. However, these viewpoints are not supported by the majority of the analyses, which suggest that immigration is not linked to higher levels of crime [1] [2] [3]. Some sources also highlight the importance of considering the overall crime statistics, rather than just focusing on the relationship between immigration and crime [6].

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original statement may be based on a misconception that immigrants are more likely to commit crimes than native-born Americans. This misconception is debunked by the majority of the analyses, which suggest that immigrants have lower crime rates and incarceration rates compared to native-born Americans [3] [4]. The statement may also be biased towards a particular narrative, which is not supported by the evidence. The sources that suggest a link between immigration and crime, such as the removal of violent criminal illegal aliens, may be cherry-picking data to support a particular agenda [5]. On the other hand, the sources that present a more nuanced view of the relationship between immigration and crime, such as the idea that immigrants may have less law enforcement contact compared to non-immigrants, may be more accurate and unbiased [3]. Overall, it is crucial to consider multiple sources and viewpoints when assessing the relationship between immigration and crime, and to be aware of potential biases and misinformation [1] [2] [3].

Want to dive deeper?
What is the correlation between immigration rates and crime rates in the US?
How does the crime rate of undocumented immigrants compare to that of documented immigrants?
Which states have the highest and lowest crime rates among immigrant populations?
Do immigrants commit crimes at a higher or lower rate than native-born Americans, according to the Bureau of Justice Statistics?
How does the type of crime differ between immigrant and native-born populations in the US?