U.S. citizens in Harris County faced criminal charges more than twice as often as non-citizens in 2023, according to a Houston Landing data analysis. The analysis used data on adult population and criminal charges from 2015 to 2024. It revealed U.S. citizens were more frequently charged with violent crimes, including murder, homicide, and manslaughter. Former Houston Police Department Chief Charles McClelland confirmed the data matched past studies showing lower crime rates among immigrants compared to U.S. citizens. Statewide, similar trends emerged, with native-born citizens nearly twice as likely to face charges according to the Cato Institute.
Concerns arise over using individual cases, such as the murder of Jocelyn Nungaray, to support punitive immigration policies. Katy Murdza of the Immigrant Legal Resource Center noted that associating immigrants with crime impacts community sentiment and behavior. Citizenship information is collected during jail intake, with self-reported status documented, according to the Harris County Sheriff’s Office. Over 14% of charged individuals lacked citizenship status in records at the time of the Landing’s analysis, and experts advised caution in assumptions about these cases.
The Landing accessed data via public records from the Harris County District Clerk’s Office, covering charges from 2015 to 2024. The dataset, including citizenship information, was updated as of January 2025. Charge rates used American Community Survey estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau, filtered for adults aged 18 and over. Experts from institutions like the Marshall Project and Rice University reviewed and validated the Landing’s methodology.
The Landing’s findings align with studies indicating immigrants’ involvement in crime is lower or similar to that of U.S.-born individuals. Alex Nowrasteh of the Cato Institute highlighted that homicide-related crime data is often more accurate. In 2023, non-citizens accounted for only 3% of homicide-related charges in Harris County, with immigrants nearly six times less likely to face such charges compared to citizens. High-profile cases, such as the murder of Jocelyn Nungaray, can skew public perception, despite overall statistics showing lower crime rates among immigrants.
Former Houston Police Chief Charles McClelland noted using isolated cases to shape immigration policy has historical precedence. The Trump administration and other politicians have utilized similar tactics to justify stricter immigration laws. Incidents like the Colony Ridge raid demonstrate how rhetoric can influence enforcement actions, with 118 arrests conducted without substantial charges. An ICE spokesperson stated that 90% of their apprehensions in Houston involved immigrants charged with or convicted of crimes.
Experts maintain that focusing on immigration detracts from addressing broader social issues like healthcare and food security. Douglas Griffith, president of the Houston Police Officers Union, emphasized that U.S. law enforcement focuses on criminal behavior rather than citizenship status. Community discussions continue about the impact of immigration policies on local crime and public safety.