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Law-Abiding Immigrants: The Incarceration Gap between Immigrants and the US-Born, 1870–2020

Author

Listed:
  • Ran Abramitzky
  • Leah Boustan
  • Elisa Jácome
  • Santiago Pérez
  • Juan David Torres

Abstract

We provide the first nationally representative long-run series (1870–2020) of incarceration rates for immigrants and the US-born. As a group, immigrants have had lower incarceration rates than the US-born for 150 years. Moreover, relative to the US-born, immigrants' incarceration rates have declined since 1960: immigrants today are 60 percent less likely to be incarcerated (30 percent relative to US-born Whites). This relative decline occurred among immigrants from all regions and cannot be explained by changes in observable characteristics or immigration policy. Instead, the decline is part of a broader divergence of outcomes between less-educated immigrants and their US-born counterparts.

Suggested Citation

  • Ran Abramitzky & Leah Boustan & Elisa Jácome & Santiago Pérez & Juan David Torres, 2024. "Law-Abiding Immigrants: The Incarceration Gap between Immigrants and the US-Born, 1870–2020," American Economic Review: Insights, American Economic Association, vol. 6(4), pages 453-471, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:aea:aerins:v:6:y:2024:i:4:p:453-71
    DOI: 10.1257/aeri.20230459
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • J15 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Minorities, Races, Indigenous Peoples, and Immigrants; Non-labor Discrimination
    • K37 - Law and Economics - - Other Substantive Areas of Law - - - Immigration Law
    • K42 - Law and Economics - - Legal Procedure, the Legal System, and Illegal Behavior - - - Illegal Behavior and the Enforcement of Law
    • N31 - Economic History - - Labor and Consumers, Demography, Education, Health, Welfare, Income, Wealth, Religion, and Philanthropy - - - U.S.; Canada: Pre-1913
    • N32 - Economic History - - Labor and Consumers, Demography, Education, Health, Welfare, Income, Wealth, Religion, and Philanthropy - - - U.S.; Canada: 1913-
    • N41 - Economic History - - Government, War, Law, International Relations, and Regulation - - - U.S.; Canada: Pre-1913
    • N42 - Economic History - - Government, War, Law, International Relations, and Regulation - - - U.S.; Canada: 1913-

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