While there are many criminal offenses that are well-known in New York, such as drunk driving and embezzlement, there are others you may have never heard of that are just as common. One of the fastest-growing types of federal crimes is immigration crimes, something that is becoming a bigger problem each year as more and more foreigners seek to make the United States their home.
According to Pew Research, 50 percent of all federal criminal arrests made in the year 2014 were in the category of immigration crimes. Gun, drug and property crimes are dropping as unlawful actions committed by immigrants quickly rise. While only 28 percent of the total federal arrests came from immigrants in 2004, that number almost doubled over the next decade.
The majority of these arrests occurred in the judicial districts along the U.S. – Mexico border, with many made by border patrol officials. Two districts with the highest numbers of arrests were located in Texas, while California, New Mexico and Arizona each had one district that was ranked in the top five.
Immigration offenses can include any violation of federal immigration law. This does not include deportations or apprehensions. There is also no data detailing whether these arrests led to eventual prosecution and conviction or if the suspected criminal was later released. Some people may also be arrested more than once, which is not reflected, as this data that simply details the number of arrests that were made. This information is intended for your education and should not be taken as legal advice.