When Donald Trump addresses the southern border in Texas on Thursday, his focus will likely be on discussing what he refers to as “migrant crime,” a term he has created to describe a surge in criminal behavior by undocumented immigrants throughout the nation.
“In New York, the crime rate is skyrocketing, and it’s being attributed to migration,” stated the former president at a recent rally in Michigan.
They assaulted law enforcement officers. You’ve witnessed them entering, causing harm by stabbing, injuring, and shooting individuals.
This new form is completely different, and the gangs involved are making our gangs seem insignificant.
Trump has tapped into the growing anger over crimes allegedly committed by undocumented migrants that have received national attention.
This includes the recent killing of college student Laken Riley in Georgia, where an undocumented migrant from Venezuela was arrested and charged with her murder, as well as the widely covered altercation between New York police officers and a group of migrant teens.
Based on a recent Pew poll, 57% of Americans believe that a high number of migrants trying to enter the country results in increased crime.
Republicans strongly believe that the influx of migrants results in a rise in crime in the US.
Only 31% of Democrats agree with that statement. According to the poll, 63% of Democrats believe it does not have much of an impact.
However, expert analysis and data from major-city police departments indicate that despite some high-profile incidents, there is no sign of a migrant-driven crime wave in the United States, contrary to what the former president claimed during his campaign.
That will not alter Trump’s rhetoric on immigrants as he campaigns to reclaim the presidency, claiming that President Joe Biden’s immigration policies are jeopardizing American safety.
Trump Accuses Biden Despite Falling City Crime Rates
Trump suggests that voters should hold Biden personally accountable for all crimes committed by undocumented immigrants.
After examining the 2024 crime data from the cities affected by Texas’ “Operation Lone Star,” it is evident that overall crime levels have decreased in the cities that have welcomed the most migrants.
Crime rates have decreased from the previous year in Philadelphia, Chicago, Denver, New York, and Los Angeles.
Crime in Washington, DC has increased, but local officials do not believe the rise is due to migrants.
This issue stems from public perception. It is during such critical incidents when an immigrant is involved in a crime,” Graham Ousey, a professor at the College of William & Mary and co-author of “Immigration and Crime: Taking Stock,” points out.
“There is no evidence to suggest a link between a person’s immigrant status and their participation in criminal activities.”
Ousey highlights the emotional impact of these incidents and their influence on public perception, emphasizing that they can involve serious criminal acts that garner significant attention and may involve immigrants.
If there are influential figures, especially in politics, promoting such a narrative, it could potentially perpetuate the myth.