Crime and Immigration in Albuquerque, NM – Real or Misperception?

The decade between 2000 and 2010 marked the largest increase of immigrant populations in U.S. history, however crime rates have seen a decrease during this same period. Recent research suggests that immigrant groups may actually be associated with this phenomenon. As immigration rates are expected to continue to grow in Albuquerque and the U.S., further research into the relationship between immigration and crime rates within historical destination cities (i.e. Los Angeles, New York) and new destination gateway cities, such as Albuquerque, is necessary. This study examines how violent and non-violent crime rates in immigrant neighborhoods compare to those of non-immigrant neighborhoods in Albuquerque, NM over a four year time period. In this study immigrant neighborhoods are found to have a null or negative association to crime.GeographyMastersUniversity of New Mexico. Dept. of GeographyLippitt, ChrisFreundschuh, ScottCarr, JohnGuerin, Pau