Immigration Policy, Marginalization, and Immigrant Offending

• In Event: Poster Session

Abstract

For immigrants, committing a crime can pose a serious threat to their residency and
their ability to obtain citizenship. The extent of these threats varies depending on the region
of origin and whether or not an immigrant remains subject to deportation as a non-citizen.
Yet, immigrants face both economic and social marginalization, which may increase the
chance of criminality. This research used a population-based sample of approximately 25,000
males to test the effects of these two competing forms of stake in conformity on official
police suspicion in Sweden. The findings indicate that both region of origin and
marginalization factors are important for initial and repeat suspicions. Yet, the region of
origin results and the marginalization results are generally contradictory to stake in
conformity arguments. This suggests that other factors are at work where both are concerned.

Author

• Amber L. Beckley, Stockholm University