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Contextualizing the Immigration and Crime Effect

An Analysis of Homicide in Chicago Neighborhoods

University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, mvelez{at}unm.edu

Neighborhoods with concentrated disadvantage have heightened levels of crime, and since the 1980s they have seen an infusion of immigrants. The article suggests that the influx of recent immigrants should contribute to the revitalization of disadvantaged neighborhoods and thereby help to reduce violent crime. The article tests whether the effect of concentrated disadvantage on local homicide levels is attenuated by levels of recent arrivals (1985-1990). The article find that recently arrived immigrants are associated with reductions of lethal violence in disadvantaged neighborhoods. It suggest that the influx of recent immigrants in disadvantaged neighborhoods reinvigorates local economic opportunity structures and social networks, and revitalizes neighborhood organizations and institutions. However, recently arrived immigrants are associated with increases in local homicide levels in advantaged contexts. Recent immigrants appear to elevate homicide via the potential disruption they cause in local social networks and efforts at community social control.

Key Words: immigration • neighborhoods • homicide

Homicide Studies, Vol. 13, No. 3, 325-335 (2009)
DOI: 10.1177/1088767909337238


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