An Examination of American Perceptions of the Immigrant-Crime Relationship

Perception of Immigrants in Europe: A Multilevel Assessment of Macrolevel Conditions

“…Lastly, sexual assault rates were found to be negatively associated with citizen attitudes of immigrants as well. This finding is not surprising given both the inflammatory nature of sexual assault and the belief that immigrants increase crime (McCann and Boateng, 2020). In this sense, real increases in crime may be attributed to either real or perceived increases in immigration.…”

“…Future researchers should examine whether the same relationships hold for other forms of violent (e.g., homicide) and property (e.g., burglary) crimes. Scholars could also use perceptions of immigrants’ impact on crime as a dependent variable to extrapolate what was provided in the current study to determine if the significant effects vary by what the specific focus is relative to immigrants’ perceived influence (e.g., see McCann and Boateng, 2020). Relatedly, the outcome measure is a composite of three similar measures, constructed on a 10‐point scale.…”

“…Schlueter et al. (2008) reported that religiosity increased perceptions of group threat, which in turn led to prejudice toward non‐Europeans; a finding that has been replicated in a study on Americans’ perceptions of immigrants and crime (McCann and Boateng, 2020). Specifically, McCann and Boateng (2020) reported that Christians (compared to nonreligious persons) were more likely to support ethnic exclusionism in America.…”

“…Individual‐level characteristics such as age, income, and gender may also affect people's attitudes toward immigrants and/or outsiders (Quillian, 1995). Generally, individual‐level research has consistently shown that working class and older individuals express more prejudice toward outsiders (Maykovich, 1975; Quillian, 1995), although recent scholarship has indicated that younger generations may in fact harbor more negative attitudes toward immigrants (McCann and Boateng, 2020). Other relevant correlates of negative views toward immigrants include occupational status, income, denomination, religiosity, marital status, and gender (Savelkoul et al., 2011).…”

Fear of Immigrants, Support for Exclusionary Immigration Policies & Police Stops against Illegal Immigrants with a Criminal Background in the US

“…Ramakrishan & Gulasekaram (2012) assert that immigrants are framed as a threat to domestic prosperity, security, and American cultural values. Group conflict and instrumental group conflict theories suggest that socio-economic competition between the public and immigrants presents an opportunity for anti-immigrant sentiments to grow among the public (Pryce, 2018;McCann & Boateng, 2020). Group conflict and instrumental group conflict theories are criticized for over focusing on external conflicts between the public and immigrants while neglecting internal conflicts with each group (Meuleman, Davidov, & Billiet, 2009).…”