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Panic? Probing Angst over Immigration and Crime

Author

Listed:
  • Clotilde Mahé

    (Department of Economics and Management, Université du Luxembourg)

  • Sergio Parra-Cely

    (Universidad San Francisco de Quito, Ecuador)

Abstract

We examine empirically whether immigration affects crime in an emerging country, Ecuador. We exploit the fact that immigration flows of Venezuelans suddenly evolved from voluntary to forced, and occurred disproportionately along land borders. We use nationally representative administrative and survey data to precisely estimate an economically null effect of Venezuelan immigration on property and violent crime. We also show that natives are more likely to believe that immigration worsens the economy, despite clear evidence of negative labour market impact due to recent Venezuelan inflows. Results confirm that fears over immigration and crime are not necessarily supported by facts.

Suggested Citation

  • Clotilde Mahé & Sergio Parra-Cely, 2021. "Panic? Probing Angst over Immigration and Crime," DEM Discussion Paper Series 21-04, Department of Economics at the University of Luxembourg.
    • Handle: RePEc:luc:wpaper:21-04
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    File URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10993/46590
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Immigration; Crime; Ecuador; Venezuela; Latin America.;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • F22 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business - - - International Migration
    • K42 - Law and Economics - - Legal Procedure, the Legal System, and Illegal Behavior - - - Illegal Behavior and the Enforcement of Law

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