Does immigration increase crime rates in Europe?
The correlation between immigration and crime rates has been a contentious issue among political factions. Political parties in Europe have utilized this topic to create a sense of threat among citizens and gain their trust, resulting in occasional success (Nunziata, 2011). Public opinion can be influenced by politicians and the media due to the high level of attention given to this topic. Immigrants are frequently the initial target of blame for various societal problems. According to Ceobanu’s (2011) research, European citizens consider immigration to be a significant issue that needs to be addressed in order to improve their future quality of life.
The historical context of blaming immigrants for rising crime rates
Throughout history, humans have tended to attribute fault to others rather than themselves. This tendency persists in the context of the current topic. In several European countries, there is a growing concern about the rising crime rates attributed to migrants (Hainmueller and Hiscox, 2007). According to research conducted by Ceobanu (2011), the general public holds a strongly negative view of immigrants in this regard.
Attributing the rise in crime rates to migrants is a concept that has been present for some time. Debates regarding immigration have been ongoing in countries with significant levels of immigration, such as France and the USA, since the late 19th and 20th centuries. The inhabitants of these nations have begun to attribute the rising crime rates and potentially other problems to foreign individuals. Contrary to popular belief, research indicates that crime rates among foreigners in the US, Canada, and Australia are actually lower than those of native-born citizens. Research conducted during the 1950s and 1960s revealed that this phenomenon is not limited to the aforementioned countries but also applies to European nations that experienced significant immigration, including Germany, Switzerland, France, England, and Belgium. Crime rates among immigrants in these countries were either equal to or lower than those of the native population. However, in the 1980s, new studies revealed that foreign-born individuals had higher rates of committing crimes compared to native-born individuals (Solivetti, 2012).
Exploring sociological theories to understand deviant behavior
The reasons for these divergent findings between the US and the present study are not yet understood. Several hypotheses have been proposed to explain the divergent results, including the anomie strain theory. This theory, which sociologist Robert K. Merton developed, offers a sociological viewpoint. This theory aims to elucidate how societal arrangements and cultural objectives can generate stress or tension in individuals, potentially resulting in nonconformist conduct. According to the anomie strain theory, deviant behavior is not caused by personal problems but rather by the stress experienced in a society that does not offer equal chances for achievement and social inclusion. Solivetti (2012) emphasizes the significance of analyzing social structures and cultural norms in comprehending and managing deviant behavior.
The culture conflict theory was proposed as an additional hypothesis to explain this matter. Thorstein Sellin posits that cultural conflict occurs when people or groups with distinct cultural backgrounds, values, and norms interact with each other. The collision of different cultures can cause societal tension, conflict, and stress, which may lead to criminal behavior or deviance (Solivetti, 2012).
The theory of social control, created by Travis Hirschi during the 1960s, is a well-known criminological theory that aims to clarify why people follow the rules of society and avoid participating in criminal or abnormal activities. According to Hirschi’s theory, the main factor that determines whether an individual will participate in deviant behavior is the level of their social connections or ties to mainstream society. According to Hirschi, individuals are more likely to engage in deviant behavior when they have weak or absent social bonds. According to Solivetti (2012), people who have weak attachments, low commitments, limited involvement in conventional activities, or weak belief systems may be more likely to commit crimes due to their reduced inhibitions.
Perhaps the studies overlooked important factors when attempting to explain this phenomenon by simply accepting the data. The labeling approach suggests that deviance or criminal behavior is not an inherent trait of certain actions or people but rather a consequence of social interactions and the use of labels. The labeling theory proposes that people may turn to deviant or criminal behavior after being identified as such by institutions in society, such as law enforcement, the criminal justice system, or other authorities. When someone is given a label, they may start to see themselves as deviants or criminals. This can cause them to act in ways that fit this label, which can create a cycle of more deviant or criminal behavior (Solivetti, 2012).
The “way of life”
It is a commonly observed phenomenon that individuals tend to be attracted to others who share similar characteristics (Montoya et al., 2008). Individuals have a tendency to develop a preference for individuals who share similar physical and behavioral characteristics. According to the data, European citizens consider “way of life” one of the most important criteria when it comes to immigrants. The location of significant immigration varies across different countries. According to Heath and Richards (2019), there has been a shift towards prioritizing work criteria among individuals, while countries have not experienced significant waves of immigration that prioritize language skills and ways of life. The data suggests that countries that experienced the economic effects of immigration tended to view it as beneficial and became more accustomed to diversity compared to countries with less exposure to people who looked different from them. The labeling theory suggests that individuals tend to label those who are different from them, particularly when exposed to news reports that highlight crimes committed by immigrants. This labeling can perpetuate a cycle of negative stereotypes and discrimination.
Recent findings about the link between immigration and crime
However, recent studies have yielded divergent findings from the data. Maghularia and Uebelmesser (2019) found no correlation between immigration and crime rates in Germany. According to Alonso-Borrego et al. (2012), the research indicated that the situation in Spain is similar and that there is no clear correlation between migration and crime rates. A recent study found that there is a negative relationship between crime rates and migration across Europe (Boateng et al., 2021).
However, migration can have varying indirect effects in certain countries. According to Boateng et al. (2021), immigration can lead to more job opportunities in the public sector due to the entrepreneurial activities of immigrants. In 2012, a study found that immigrants had a higher likelihood of initiating a business compared to the native citizens of the country where they reside (Xavier et al., 2013). This supports Boateng’s argument that immigrants can generate more opportunities for citizens, potentially leading to a reduction in crime rates. Nevertheless, immigrants contribute to the economy and employment in various other ways. Muysken and Ziesemer (2011) found that immigrants can contribute to the skill distribution and increase the income per capita of European countries. It is irrelevant whether the migrants possess low skills or hold academic positions.
What is the cause of this phenomenon?
What is the reason for the widespread assumption that there exists a positive correlation between migration and crime rates? I decided to write this essay after a discussion with a person from Denmark who believed that there is a correlation between the two factors based on their personal experiences and data from Statistics Denmark (Criminal Offences, n.d.). Discussing numerical data can be challenging since they can be interpreted in various ways. Providing raw statistics to the general public without input from subject matter experts can present significant issues. The media often reports comments made by public figures, such as the recent statement by Matias Tesfaye, the Danish Minister of Education and Children. He said: “Amazing, why not give them a little symbol to stitch on their clothes, so we can keep an eye on them?” (Bendixen & Country Coordinator, 2020). The use of racist labels can lead to discrimination and conflict between citizens and immigrants. The practice of categorizing individuals based on their ethnicity and assigning labels caused harm to many people in Europe in the recent past. It is important for professionals to provide an objective explanation of the reasons behind this phenomenon, without interpreting the data through their personal ideologies. Politicians who seek to gain votes by creating conflict between citizens and immigrants should not be relied upon for this task.
Misinterpretation of statistics
The problem with this data is that analyzing it without stratifying by age and gender may lead to inaccurate conclusions. Individuals who fall within the age range of 25 to 36 and those who identify as male are more likely to engage in criminal behavior. The population can be significantly high, particularly among immigrants from Middle Eastern Muslim countries (Solivetti, 2012). Individuals lacking statistical literacy may mistakenly infer that immigrants from Muslim countries exhibit higher rates of criminal behavior compared to those from other nations based on data from Statistics Denmark. It is important to acknowledge that this data does not distinguish between immigrants and refugees who are foreigners. The available data may provide varying perspectives, but it lacks depth.
The fear of crime
Nunziata’s (2015) research suggests that immigration does not lead to an increase in crime rates in the host country. However, it does result in an increase in fear and perception of crime, which can lead to negative attitudes towards foreigners among the native population. According to the research, individuals who identify as politically conservative and unemployed are more likely to hold negative attitudes toward immigrants.
Concluding remarks
It is evident that Europe has consistently relied on immigrants to meet its labor demands. This is also true in the present-day world. Research indicates that immigrants do not contribute to higher crime rates in Europe or the USA. However, the influx of immigrants can lead to an increase in the perceived fear of crime. Research indicates that immigration is consistently beneficial to the economy. Therefore, Europe has no choice but to depend on immigrants to enhance its economic growth. Political parties frequently exploit this matter, manipulating the media to disseminate a distorted portrayal and instill fear among their constituents. This makes the lives of unprivileged people who are born in developing countries even harder while living together with different values and ‘ways of living’ is possible in peace while respecting and understanding each other. In order to accomplish this, governments should base their policies on scientific data and adjust them accordingly.
References
Alonso-Borrego, C., Garoupa, N., & Vázquez, P. O. (2012). Does Immigration Cause Crime? Evidence from Spain. American Law and Economics Review, 14(1), 165–191. https://doi.org/10.1093/aler/ahr019
Bendixen, M. C. B. & Country Coordinator. (2020, December 11). Denmark: New statistics category for migrants from Muslim countries. European Commision. Retrieved June 4, 2023, from https://ec.europa.eu/migrant-integration/news/denmark-new-statistics-category-migrants-muslim-countries_en
Boateng, F. D., Pryce, D. K., & Chenane, J. L. (2021). I May Be an Immigrant, but I Am Not a Criminal: Examining the Association Between the Presence of Immigrants and Crime Rates in Europe. Journal of International Migration and Integration, 22(3), 1105–1124. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12134-020-00790-1
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