Do Immigrants Who Live In The U.S. Illegally Commit Fewer Crimes Than Native-Born Citizens?

Our weekly check-in with the Texas Truth-O-Meter.

By Alain StephensAugust 23, 2017 10:45 am,

Former Los Angeles mayor, and candidate for governor of California, Antonio Villaraigosa, gave an interview to MSNBC in July in which he was critical of President Donald Trump for telling New York police officers to be tough on criminal suspects, while insinuating that immigrants are more likely to commit crimes.

In the interview, Villaraigosa, tried to promote the idea that all residents should share the burden with police in helping fight crime and gangs — then he made the following claim:

“Going after the undocumented is not a crime strategy…undocumented immigrants commit less crimes than the native born. That’s just a fact.”

Is that a fact? Gardner Selby of the Politifact Texas fact-checking team has the answer.

Hear how Villaraigosa’s claim scored in the player above.

 

Written by Caroline Covington.