Migrations As Criminological Problem: Crime Of Migrants – USA Experience Cover Image

Migracije kao kriminološki problem: kriminalitet migranata – iskustva SAD
Migrations As Criminological Problem: Crime Of Migrants – USA Experience

Author(s): Đorđe M. Ignjatović
Subject(s): Criminal Law, Recent History (1900 till today), Criminology, Migration Studies, Ethnic Minorities Studies
Published by: Institut za uporedno pravo
Keywords: migrations; crime; disorganization; cultural conflict; ethnic succession;

Summary/Abstract: Review of thoughts about influence of migrations (in this article migrations are defined as horizontal movements of large groups of people from one sociocultural environment into another) on crime begins in this paper with the origins of „the first real american theory“ – Chicago School and it ends in our time. The article analyzes the most important representatives of ecological theory, subcultural theory, social-learning theory as well as their successors in the second half of the 20th century. Their work encompasses an abundant inventory of ideas that could be used in comprehension of correlation between crime and migrations. On the other hand, it is absurd that it seems that thoughts of influence of migrations on crime, at least in the USA, are more influenced by traditional prejudices in the public encouraged by the representatives of the authority and to them loyal media, instead of the scientific research which show that migrations are not criminogenic factor. However, this does not mean that migrant movements do not contribute, together with other factors (disorganized environment in which they come, family relationships, influence of criminal subcultures and groups) to criminal offences. This especially refers to juveniles and members of migrant communities that make efforts to succeed (enrich themselves) in life by illegitimate means. Those often decide to join groups from the criminal underworld and to become part of organized crime. Perhaps the best explanation offers the theory of ethnic succession, which could partially be applied on the crime of lower social classes in other countries.

  • Issue Year: 2016
  • Issue No: 2
  • Page Range: 29-55
  • Page Count: 27
  • Language: Serbian