Trump’s Tariff Threat: Immigration, Crime, and the Numbers Behind the Narrative

**Border Crossings: The Numbers Behind the Surge** Recent statistics from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) indicate a significant increase in border crossings in recent years. In fiscal year 2022, there were over 2.76 million encounters at the U.S.-Mexico border, a record high. While this figure raises alarms about border security, it’s crucial to analyze the context. Many of these encounters reflect individuals seeking asylum or fleeing violence in their home countries rather than criminal activity. According to a 2021 report by the Pew Research Center, a majority of unauthorized immigrants are not involved in criminal activities, contradicting the narrative of a crime wave fueled by immigration. **Fentanyl Smuggling: A Closer Look** One of the most pressing concerns surrounding immigration is the influx of fentanyl, a potent synthetic opioid responsible for a skyrocketing number of overdose deaths in the United States. Trump’s rhetoric often links this crisis directly to immigration. However, data from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) reveals that the majority of fentanyl comes from domestic production and is trafficked by U.S. citizens. In 2022, the DEA reported that approximately 70% of fentanyl seized in the U.S. was produced in clandestine labs in the United States, not smuggled across the southern border. This critical insight challenges the oversimplified narrative that associates immigration with the fentanyl crisis. **Crime Rates and Immigration: The Evidence** The relationship between immigration and crime has been a contentious topic. A multitude of studies consistently shows that immigrant populations do not contribute to higher crime rates. The Cato Institute published a report indicating that immigrants, both documented and undocumented, commit crimes at lower rates than native-born citizens. In fact, many immigrant communities have lower rates of violent crime compared to their non-immigrant counterparts. This evidence suggests that the portrayal of immigrants as criminals is not supported by empirical data and may be more about political rhetoric than reality.