Native-born Texans commit more crimes than undocumented immigrants, study finds



See where the most immigrants settle in Texas. A new study suggests undocumented immigrants commit fewer crimes than native-born Texans.

See where the most immigrants settle in Texas. A new study suggests undocumented immigrants commit fewer crimes than native-born Texans. Photo: Bryan Cox, HOGP Photo: Bryan Cox, HOGP Image 1 of / 17 Caption Close Native-born Texans commit more crimes than undocumented immigrants, study finds 1 / 17 Back to Gallery

Native-born Texans are more likely to commit crimes and get arrested than immigrants, a new study suggests.

Using data from the Texas Department of Public Safety, researchers from the conservative think tank Cato Institute found the arrest rate for undocumented immigrants was 40 percent below that of native-born Texans.

The figures show that in 2015, undocumented immigrants were arrested at a rate of 2,148.6 per 100,000, while native-born Texans were arrested at a rate of 3,577.9 per 100,000.

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Similarly, an analysis of the 2015 data found that the arrest rate of all immigrants, documented or not, was 65 percent less than native-born Texans, or 1,243.7 per 100,000.

The new study may debunk the myth perpetuated by Donald Trump, whose stance on immigration has long highlighted the idea that undocumented migrants bring crime to America.

According to the study, the homicide conviction rate for undocumented immigrants was 25

percent less than that of native-born Texans, or a rate of 3.88 per 100,000 compared to compared to 2.9 per 100,000. Researchers said the lower conviction rate is due to an overall lower arrest rate when compared with native-born Texans.

See where most immigrants settle in Texas above.