Immigration and Crime: Framing and Social Constructs

• In Event: Poster Session

Abstract

This presentation seeks to systematically analyze how the relationship between immigration and crime has been defined and framed through a content analysis of peer-reviewed research published from 2010-2021.  More specifically, this study evaluates how both “crime” and “immigration” have been operationally defined and measured in empirical studies, examines the relationship between these two, and then assesses the extent to which crime and immigration have been framed which affects both public opinion and public policy. Findings indicate that crime has been measured in a myriad of ways and immigrants are often focused on the Hispanic population. Moreover, most contemporary research has found that immigration does not lead to higher rates of crime. Nevertheless, how research on this topic has been framed and transformed into public policy needs further investigation.

Author

• Rebecca Petersen, Kennesaw State University