Texas Lawmaker Exposes Immigration Crime Myths in Heated Congressional Debate
Crockett, a former criminal defense attorney licensed in Texas and Arkansas, aimed false claims suggesting that undocumented immigrants commit more crimes than U.S. citizens.
WASHINGTON — Texas Rep. Jasmine Crockett dismantled common immigration crime myths during a heated congressional hearing, citing federal data to challenge misleading narratives and advocate for fact-based policymaking.
Crockett, a former criminal defense attorney licensed in Texas and Arkansas, aimed false claims suggesting that undocumented immigrants commit more crimes than U.S. citizens. Engaging in a pointed exchange with a witness, she led a "rhetoric vs. reality" discussion to dispel misconceptions about immigration and public safety.
"Federal law already addresses violent criminals, regardless of who is in the White House," Crockett stated. "When I practiced law, I saw cases where individuals were detained not just for crimes but also for immigration violations, including those with prior deportations."
She cited multiple studies proving that undocumented immigrants have lower crime rates than native-born citizens, submitting to the congressional record a National Institute of Justice report that states, "Undocumented immigrant offending rates are lower than U.S.-born citizens." She also referenced a report from the Alabama Reflector showing that undocumented immigrants contribute nearly $100 billion in taxes annually.
"There is an overemphasis on crime in this discussion, and my colleagues across the aisle are using immigrants as a scapegoat," she argued. "Meanwhile, real threats go unaddressed."
Crockett further debunked the claim that immigrants are responsible for mass shootings, citing cases such as the Buffalo supermarket shooting, the Charleston church massacre, and the El Paso Walmart shooting. In each case, the perpetrators were U.S.-born citizens with ties to white supremacist ideology.
She concluded by entering an article into the record revealing that "white supremacists were responsible for over 80% of extremism-related murders in the U.S. in 2022."
The fiery exchange highlighted deep partisan divides over crime and immigration policy. While Democrats stressed data-driven solutions, Republicans continued pushing for stricter border enforcement. As immigration reform and public safety remain key national concerns, Crockett's fact-based approach challenges misinformation and fuels a growing demand for truth-driven legislative action.
