Assessing the Relationship between Immigration Status, Crime, Gang Affiliation, and Victimization

• NCJ Number: 309429
• Author(s): Lidia E. Nuño
• Date Published: 2024
• Length: 78 pages
• Grant Number(s): 2020-R2-CX-0028
• Agencies: NIJ-Sponsored
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Award: Assessing the Relationship between Immigration Status, Crime, Gang Affiliation, and Victimization

Annotation

This document reports on a research project that examined the likelihood of four specific experiences based on immigration status, including undocumented status and citizenship by naturalization; it compares immigrants’ experiences relative to those of U.S.-born citizens; discusses research outcomes; and provides recommendations for policymakers and future researchers.

Abstract

This report describes a research study that used a mixed methods approach to examine immigrants’ involvement in crime, alcohol and drug use, gang membership, and experiences with violent victimization. The data sources were obtained in Maricopa County, Arizona, and included quantitative self-report data from recently booked arrestees, community samples of U.S. citizens and immigrants with different statuses, and qualitative data from a sub-sample of the community sample of immigrants with different statuses. The study was driven by three research questions: does the likelihood of engaging in crime vary by immigration status? Are illegal immigrants at an increased risk of joining gangs in general or having affiliations to MS13 specifically? Are undocumented immigrants at an increased risk of experiencing violent victimizations? The report lays out the research design and methodology, and analytical and data analysis techniques; it notes changes in research approach from the original design; and discusses results and findings regarding crime, gang membership, and violent victimization by immigration status. Findings and recommendations cover topics such as involvement in crime, driving under the influence, alcohol and drug use, gang membership, violent victimization, and gender-based victimization. The report also includes a listing of datasets that were generated as a result of the research, as well as dissemination activities.