IMMIGRATION, CRIME AND DEVELOPMENT: CONCEPTUAL AND THEORETICAL PERSPECTIVES
Abstract
This paper seeks to add to the immigration works by examining how the immigrants’ crimes impact on development. The work presents conceptual and theoretical explanations on that. The perception that immigrants increase crime in the destination areas seems to be very rampant. Some of the literature explored confirmed such assertion. In this paper, improved economic viability and the security of property serve as proxies of development. Over decades, there have been both, optimistic and pessimistic arguments about the efficacy of immigration to actualize one or more aspects of development. Hence, the impacts of immigration on development cannot be predetermined with certainty. They do depend upon the qualities and aspirations of the actor(s) as well as the socio-economic and socio-political structures of the place of destination. The paper recommends revisiting immigration laws and policies. In particular, there should be proper scrutiny of prospective immigrants at the points of entry with a view to ascertaining their visions for appropriate decision and complete documentation of immigrants’ data. Additionally, the socio-economic and socio-political structures of the destination areas ought to be favourable for the mutual benefits of both, the host community and the immigrants. Internationally, beneficial immigration policies should be designed and adhered to by countries.
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