Deterrence Versus Marginalization: Evidence From Immigrant Offending. (July 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Beckley, Amber L.
• Is Part Of: Race and justice. Volume 5:Number 3(2015:Jul.)
• Page Start: 278
• Page End: 300
• Publication Date: 2015-07
• Subjects: immigration and crime -- social control theory -- criminological theories -- immigration -- crime control model -- race and courts -- get-tough; Crime and race -- United States -- Periodicals; Discrimination in criminal justice administration -- Periodicals; United States -- Race relations -- Periodicals; 364.089
• DOI: 10.1177/2153368714568354
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2153-3687

Abstract

Immigration policies that attach citizenship and deportation consequences to crime may be aimed at deterring crime, but they also effectively marginalize immigrants and may promote crime. Evidence from Sweden and around the world indicates that, where citizenship is concerned, marginalization may have won out. This research used a population-based sample of approximately 20, 000 Swedish males and more rigorous methods than past studies to test the effects of citizenship and region of origin on official police suspicion for a serious crime. The findings showed that a lack of citizenship is related to greater involvement in crime, indicating support for the marginalizing effects of immigration policies. Yet, the region of origin results presented a conflicting picture in which neither ideas on deterrence nor marginalization could be supported. In conclusion, neither the potential deterrent effects of immigration policy nor its marginalizing effects were strongly supported.