Immigrant Teens Less Likely to Commit Crimes

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Immigrant teens are less likely to commit crimes, use drugs and engage in violent behaviors, than their U.S. born peers, according to a new study by the University of Texas at Austin.

The study, published in Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology, analyzed U.S. demographic data to  “show that immigrant adolescents are statistically less likely than U. S. -born peers to be involved in an array of violent and delinquent behaviors — such as serious fights, drug selling and gun carrying — and less likely to use alcohol, marijuana and other illicit drugs.”

“In recent years, as we have seen growth in the number of immigrants in United States, we have also witnessed rising concern that immigrants may present a threat to American society,” said Cristopher Salas-Wright, lead researcher and professor of social work at UT-Austin. “Our research adds to the growing body of evidence indicating that, despite experiencing adversity on multiple fronts, immigrants are substantially less likely than those born in the United States to be involved in antisocial and risky behavior.”

Contrary to the general perception of immigrant youth the study also found they are more likely to report positive school engagement, good relationship with their parents and a negative view on adolescent substance abuse.

Researchers also found drug abuse and violent behavior was especially lower among those who had been in the U.S. for less than five years or had arrived at age 12 or older.