For years, a narrative has been spun by those on the left that non-citizens, especially illegal migrants, commit fewer crimes than native-born Americans. This claim, often parroted without substantial scrutiny, has become a cornerstone of the liberal argument for open borders. However, when we peel back the layers of this argument, the reality is far less reassuring and significantly more complex, especially in light of the federal government’s lax vetting and tracking of these individuals.
Real Clear Investigations: Illegal Migrants Less Likely to Commit Crime? Guess Again.
In June, Victor Martinez-Hernandez was charged with the murder of Rachel Morin, a mother of five in Maryland. Police in Oklahoma tracked the accused repeat offender down with a sample of his DNA recovered from a Los Angeles home invasion in which a nine-year-old girl and her mother were assaulted. Police say he came to the U.S. illegally to escape prosecution for at least one other murder in his native El Salvador in December 2022.
“That should never have been allowed to happen,” said Sheriff Jeffrey Gahler, referring to the numerous missed red flags the case presented. His office apprehended Hernandez in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Like the member of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua sentenced to life in prison last week for the murder of Laken Riley in Georgia, Hernandez’s case is shining a light on the federal government’s failure to properly vet and keep track of lawless migrants.
These gaps have led to broad claims that illegal immigrants have less involvement with the criminal justice system than native-born Americans. A review of the available data, however, shows that the criminal records of millions of migrants – the ones President-elect Trump vows to prioritize for deportation – remain unknown due to illegal crossings, lax enforcement, and lax data collection by federal and “sanctuary”
Fox News: White House mum amid outrage over data showing how many illegal immigrant criminals are in US
The White House has yet to comment on new data released to lawmakers showing the number of illegal immigrants with convictions for sex offenses and homicide convictions who are not in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention.
The agency provided data to Rep. Tony Gonzales, R-Texas, about illegal immigrants with criminal charges or convictions. The data, as of July 2024, is broken down by those in detention and those who are not in detention, known as the non-detained docket.
The non-detained docket includes noncitizens who have final orders of removal or are going through removal proceedings but are not in ICE custody.
There are more than 7.4 million people on that docket, up from around 3.7 million when former President Trump left office.
The Veil of Unknown Criminal Histories
One of the most glaring issues in assessing the criminal activity of non-citizens is the sheer lack of comprehensive data. Millions of migrants who have entered the country illegally do so without passing through any formal vetting process. According to information on the web and posts found on X, the criminal records of these individuals often remain shrouded in mystery. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has reported arresting hundreds of thousands of noncitizens with criminal histories annually, but this only scratches the surface.
The nature of illegal entry compounds the challenge. Without proper documentation or background checks, the criminal history of many migrants is unknown, unvetted, and unreported. This is not just an oversight but a significant gap in our security net. President-elect Trump has pledged to prioritize the deportation of these individuals, yet the task is monumental due to these data deficiencies.
Sanctuary Policies: A Shield for Criminals?
Sanctuary cities and jurisdictions further exacerbate the issue by limiting cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, particularly with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). This reluctance to share data or assist in tracking down illegal immigrants with criminal records means that many who should be under scrutiny are instead free to continue their activities. Posts found on X indicate that this policy has led to hundreds of thousands of noncitizens with criminal convictions or charges being released back into communities.
Understated Crime Rates: A Closer Look
When we delve into available statistics, the narrative of lower crime rates among non-citizens begins to unravel. A study cited by the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) using Texas Department of Public Safety data found that undocumented immigrants had lower crime rates than native-born citizens for certain offenses. However, this data is far from comprehensive, focusing on a single state and limited to arrests rather than the total spectrum of criminal behavior.
Moreover, the crime statistics often cited by proponents of this narrative exclude the crime of illegal entry itself and do not account for crimes that go unreported or undetected due to the non-cooperation of sanctuary jurisdictions. An analysis by the U.S. Sentencing Commission in 2016 showed that undocumented immigrants made up a disproportionate share of federal inmates sentenced for non-immigration crimes, indicating a higher involvement in serious offenses than often acknowledged.
The Reality on the Ground
On-the-ground reports and local law enforcement experiences tell a different story from the national statistics. Posts on X have highlighted specific cases where noncitizens with criminal histories have been released back into communities, leading to further crimes. This anecdotal evidence, while not systematic, paints a picture of a justice system that’s failing to track and protect its citizens.
Conclusion: A Call for Transparency and Action
The narrative that non-citizens commit less crime is a myth that doesn’t hold up to scrutiny when we look at the broader picture. The lack of comprehensive data collection, the hurdles posed by sanctuary policies, and the sheer volume of unknown criminal histories among illegally present migrants suggest that crime rates are vastly understated.
As we stand on the brink of a new administration with President-elect Trump promising to address this issue head-on, we must demand transparency, better data collection, and enforcement strategies that reflect the real risks rather than the politically convenient myths. The safety of our communities depends on recognizing the truth behind these obscured statistics and taking decisive action to protect American citizens from the unseen menace.
The time for half-measures and political games is over. The American public, whose safety has been compromised for too long under the guise of progressive ideals, demands action. President-elect Trump, you have been elected with a mandate to clean up this mess. It’s time to deliver on your promises, to restore law and order, and to ensure that the criminal records of millions of unknown migrants no longer remain a mystery but are brought to light for the protection of every citizen. Anything less than this will be a betrayal of the trust placed in your leadership.