Justice Quarterly
Volume 28, Issue 4, 2011, Pages 541-575

Assessing the relationship between immigration status and drug use (Article)

Katz C.M. , Fox A.M. , White M.D.
  • a School of Criminology and Criminal Justice, Center for Violence Prevention and Community Safety, Arizona State University, 500 N. 3rd Street, Suite 200, Phoenix, AZ 85004, United States
  • b School of Criminology and Criminal Justice, Center for Violence Prevention and Community Safety, Arizona State University, 500 N. 3rd Street, Suite 200, Phoenix, AZ 85004, United States
  • c School of Criminology and Criminal Justice, Center for Violence Prevention and Community Safety, Arizona State University, 500 N. 3rd Street, Suite 200, Phoenix, AZ 85004, United States

Abstract

The immigration-crime connection has been the basis for numerous immigration policy decisions. However, there are theoretical arguments and empirical evidence both for and against the positive relationship between immigration and crime. Moreover, much of this research has failed to focus specifically on illegal immigrants. The current study examines drug use patterns among 3,050 recently booked arrestees in Maricopa County, Arizona, from April 2007 to September 2008. Using logistic regression, the authors isolate the effects of immigration status on several types of drug use while controlling for relevant individual and situational characteristics. Findings show that illegal immigrants are generally less likely to use drugs when compared to US citizens, with the exception of powder cocaine use. The paper concludes with a discussion of the study's implications for the larger body of research on immigration and crime, as well for immigration and enforcement policy and practice. © 2010 Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences.

Author Keywords

Illegal immigrants Drug use Crime

Index Keywords

[No Keywords available]
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-79960495272&doi=10.1080%2f07418825.2010.514277&partnerID=40&md5=e0bc7994cc22379586dbfbc7db9a2279
DOI: 10.1080/07418825.2010.514277
ISSN: 07418825
Cited by: 12
Original Language: English