Compared to native-born citizens, immigrants generally commit crimes at what rate?

• A. Unknown
• B. Lower
• C. Higher
• D. The same

Answer: (B)

Immigrants generally commit crimes at lower rates than native-born citizens. This pattern shows up in multiple studies using arrest, conviction, and incarceration data as well as self-reported crime, and it often holds even though immigrants are, on average, younger—a factor that would tend to raise crime rates.

Several explanations help make sense of this. First, there is self-selection: people who choose to migrate tend to be more risk-averse, law-abiding, and driven, traits that correlate with lower propensities for crime. Second, strong family ties, community networks, and social norms within immigrant groups can provide social controls that deter deviant behavior. Third, cultural expectations and norms about lawful behavior often remain influential after migration. Finally, even when opportunities are limited, many immigrants are highly motivated to avoid trouble that could jeopardize their legal status or ability to work.

It’s also important to note that the gap can vary by generation and over time, and by type of crime; and official statistics can undercount crime in immigrant communities due to trust and reporting issues. Still, the overall trend across diverse contexts is that immigrants tend to have lower crime rates than native-born citizens.