Does Illegal Immigration Lead to More Crime?

(CBS)  Arizona's new immigration law empowers police to ask anyone they suspect of being in the country illegally for ID. The Obama administration calls it unconstitutional.

Thursday, Justice Department lawyers asked a federal judge in Phoenix to block the law before it takes effect next Thursday. Those in favor of the law say illegal immigration leads to more crime. But does it?

In Pima County, Arizona, sheriff's deputies patrol for people crossing the border illegally from Mexico.

"We are encountering folks who have warrants out for their arrests, deported felons," said Sgt. Robert Krygier.

It's a fact of life here that frightens and infuriates many Arizonans.

CBS News correspondent Bill Whitaker reports supporters of the new law point to the recent murder of rancher Robert Krentz. Investigators say his killer snuck in from Mexico. Arizona governor Jan Brewer says Mexican drug cartel-style violence is crossing the border too.

"Our law enforcement agencies have found bodies in the desert, either buried or just lying out there, that have been beheaded," Gov. Brewer said.

In Pima County, Sheriff Clarence Dupnik said not only is there no evidence of beheadings, but "the border is more secure now that it's ever been."

Murder? Burglaries? Rape? The major crimes? Up or down on the border?

"They're down," Dupnik said. "Violence in the cities is down."

According to the FBI, that's true across the southern border this decade. In San Diego violent crime is down 17 percent. In El Paso, Texas violent crime down 36 percent - it sits right across from Juarez, Mexico, one of the deadliest cities on earth. In Phoenix major crime has dropped 10 percent from 2000 to 2009.

West along the border in Nogales, Arizona, Chris Ciruli said it's a "safe environment."

Ciruli, a third-generation produce distributor, said it's as safe as it was 20 years ago. One reason? "We're definitely seeing a lot more Border Patrol over the last few years."

Border Patrol Chief Victor Manjarrez is in charge of the 262-mile Tucson sector that covers Nogales. Thirty-three thousand agents patrol today, up from 1,500 a decade ago. When it comes to crime, Manjarrez said the rhetoric doesn't match reality.

No one is downplaying the magnitude of the problem. Officers say thousands of immigrants and smugglers still cross the border illegally into Arizona every day. They commit a disproportionate amount of crime.

Illegal immigrants are just seven percent of Arizona's population,but make up nearly 15 percent of the state's prison population. They represent 14 percent of all inmates jailed for manslaughter and murder, and 24 percent of inmates on drug charges - troubling to many Arizonans - even if the overall crime rate is down.

Protestors for and against the law are outside the court. Inside court, the judge said she is skeptical that the law is constitutional. She's expected to rule within days.

[Highlander108]

Illegal immigration is crime in and of itself first off per the name illegal. Once people from anywhere come to the U.S., there is going to be some crime from that group of people. But, when you have people that come to the U.S. ILLEGALLY, they start off on the wrong foot, a foot that has NO RESPECT for our country, it's Citizens, or it's way of life. It is time U.S. CItizens stand up and say no more illegal immigration in the U.S. Enforce the immigration laws! Secure the borders! And think twice before you think on employing illegal peoples for work!!!!! My Two Cents. Highlander108

[Goofer-Buddy]

Sanctuary cities invite and encourage illegals to come and live. Illegals arrive and are welcomed with free schooling, free medical, housing, food, etc. They drive cars illegally without a licence and without insurance. They have essentially hit the lottery grand prize. How much does it cost to support an illegal family with anchor several babies? Maybe a million dollars over a generation? Who is paying for this?

I know who pays when an illegal without a licence and without insurance runs over and injures and American Citizen in a Sanctuary City. The illegal has no income, no insurance, no licence, and no responsibility for anyone. Like the Lion King song the Illegal sings "Hakuna Matata"

Hakuna Matata!
What a wonderful phrase
Hakuna Matata!
Ain't no passing craze
It means no worries
For the rest of your days
It's our problem-free philosophy
Hakuna Matata!

[Goofer-Buddy]

Does Illegal Immigration Lead to More Crime?

Hmmm? The "Illegal" part of Illegal Immigration is a crime all by itself. So the answer by default is..... yes. I know to some this may be a shock! They are criminals, and should have no rights. They cross illegally and parasitically suck the life blood out of our country.

Counting inmates is a poor statistic. Lots of criminals are deported, so they don't get counted.

[kenny769]

Enough is enough! Legal U.S citizens unite! Help take the steps to save our country take our jobs back and stop this illegal immigrant invasion. Support our cause before illegal immigrant criminals have more rights than us. This is our last stand! Also we must take steps to lower local city and state councilmen salaries too they are all robbing & hurting the people they serve. So please read and sign this online petition. "Petition to Reduce the Wages of Congress Men and Women from $174,000 per year to $50,000 per year at ?change.org?. " Copy & Paste below link into your web address bar:

http://uspoverty.change.org/petitions/view/petition_to_reduce_the_wages_of_congress_men_and_women_from_174000_per_year_to_50000_per_year

Pass it on!

[Stonefly49]

...All I know is my formally pleasant, mid-western neighborhood has turned into a noisy, garbage strewn, crime riddled third world city, where as before it was a safe, typical American town. Drugs are common, as is vandalism and a overwhelming disrespect for the law. They don't want to be Americans, just rebuild Mexico here with all it's problems. This assimilation failure in America is just part of a horrible social experiment by those in power who don't have to live amongst the results of their poor decisions...

[abummer]

Just start kicking thier ass they will leave vertical/horizontal it dosent matter to me.

[abummer]

I am tired of hearing thesaes people say they dont want to leave our country, we need to say we have had enough and start kicking thier ass! That will end it.

[yurizhi]

Yes illegal immigration leads to more crime however immigration is less likely to do so . So why is immigration illegal . How about enforcing laws for example , harming others , theft ( incl white collar criminals), environmental polluters etc . Shifting blame onto victims of circumstance is a childish ploy in an attempt to skirt the real issues of poverty , human rights and accountability . Oops ! I didn't mean to rain on your parade fellas , but the (war) party is over and out, finalito, historica, adio amigo C ya .Want to end most of the violence on the border ? Then work harder to help end Prohibition and stop your B*#/@n !
Time to grow up now into an educated and informed citizenry .Down with the 'chicken-hawks' up with the banners of Freedom, with Liberty and Justice for ___ , ALL yes for all !

[acvegas1958]

Go Arizona!!!!! I am 1000% behind ALL US states that follow Arizona new immigration law. We don?t want the United States overtaken by illegal persons south or north of the United States border and whom which many do not care about the USA and our customs or wish to learn the English language. And with many Mexicans believing that the USA was stolen from them hundreds of years ago. We USA legal citizens MUST do something to control our Out-Of-Control Borders. If the Mexican community in Mexico (or elsewhere) wish to enter the USA - enter LEGALLY just as everyone else has to do - that?s the LAW. If you do not like the law - STAY in Mexico - it?s just as simple as that. Don?t dictate to the United States on how we run and enforce our laws. The illegal Mexican people currently residing in the United States should turn their disputes toward the Mexican government on creating a better and stronger Mexican government so that they would not have to leave Mexico to come to the USA. It?s NOT Racism - It?s ILLEGALISM - meaning: on-going violation or neglect of the United States Federal Laws. Your problem is Mexico not the USA.

AJ
Black American
Las Vegas, NV

[mustmightcanwill]

I saw this report the other night while surfing. As a Citizen of the United States and a resident of Metro Phoenix Arizona, I believe the report was a one sided bunch of hooey that certainly didn't show the whole problem or begin to tell the story. Lousy reporting and news stories like this makes me search for Leave It To Beaver reruns that are not only more believeable but usually more useful. No wonder network news is fighting for it's life!