Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile
Ajzenman N., Dominguez P., Undurraga R. (2023)

Immigration, Crime, and Crime (Mis)Perceptions

Revista : American Economic Journal: Applied Economics
Volumen : 15
Número : 4
Páginas : 142-176
Tipo de publicación : ISI Ir a publicación

Abstract

This paper studies the effects of immigration on crime and crime perceptions in Chile, where the foreign-born population tripled in less than ten years. We document null effects of immigration on crime but positive and significant effects on crime-related concerns and on preventive behavioral responses, such as investing in home security. We explore several channels and provide suggestive evidence related to low- versus high-education immigrants, ethnicity-related intergroup threats, and the role of local media.