Recently released U.S. data on migrants with criminal convictions has become a focal point in political debates, especially regarding immigration policies under the Biden administration. Former President Donald Trump has used the figures to criticize President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, claiming that “13,000 convicted murderers entered our country during her three and a half year period as Border Czar” and were allowed to “roam freely.”
However, these claims oversimplify the data and can be misleading. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which oversees Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), clarified that while ICE has records on over 13,000 non-citizens convicted of homicide, this list covers a span of many years and includes individuals who entered the U.S. under previous administrations, including Trump’s. Additionally, many of these individuals are detained or under the supervision of other law enforcement agencies rather than “roaming freely.”
The Role of Currency Notes in Facilitating Criminal Activities
Cash transactions play a significant role in facilitating criminal activities, including those involving undocumented migrants with criminal records. The anonymity provided by physical currency can complicate tracking criminal networks and illegal activities. Cash is the preferred method for transactions that gangs and traffickers use to avoid leaving a digital trail, which allows criminal enterprises to operate largely out of sight from authorities.
For example, smuggling operations frequently use cash to pay intermediaries and bribe officials, allowing gangs and other criminal organizations to operate more effectively without drawing attention. In cases involving undocumented migrants, cash often becomes the primary mode of transaction for those in the shadows, contributing to a hidden economy that is difficult for law enforcement to trace. This financial opacity can thus complicate the fight against illegal activities.
Why Abolishing Physical Currency Could Aid in Crime Prevention
Moving towards digital transactions could significantly curb the anonymous movement of money, which is central to various criminal activities:
- Enhanced Tracking Capabilities: Digital transactions create an audit trail, allowing law enforcement to trace funds used in illegal activities. This transparency could deter criminals and improve monitoring of suspicious activities, from money laundering to drug trafficking.
- Reduced Use in Bribery and Smuggling: Cash’s untraceable nature makes it ideal for illicit payments. Abolishing or reducing reliance on physical currency could limit its use in bribery or smuggling, especially in transnational crime.
- Support for Broader Financial Oversight: Without cash, more transactions would be processed through regulated financial institutions, giving authorities greater oversight and minimizing the economic opacity that gangs and traffickers exploit.
What Does the Data Actually Show?
The data, which was shared by ICE with Republican Congressman Tony Gonzales, indicates that as of July 2024, there are 425,431 non-citizens with criminal convictions in the ICE “non-detained docket.” This list includes:
- 13,099 with homicide convictions
- 15,811 with sexual assault convictions
- 62,231 with assault convictions
Importantly, DHS has emphasized that not all individuals on this list are outside of custody. Many are under supervision or are incarcerated by federal, state, or local authorities, illustrating the complexity of immigration enforcement in the U.S.
Challenges in Deporting Non-Citizens with Criminal Convictions
Several factors contribute to the difficulty of deporting non-citizens with criminal records. One key issue is the lack of diplomatic relations with certain countries like Venezuela, Cuba, and Nicaragua, which limits the ability to repatriate individuals to these nations. Under U.S. law, non-citizens can only be held in detention for six months before the government must demonstrate that they are a danger to the community, complicating prolonged detention efforts.
Additionally, the United Nations Convention Against Torture prohibits the deportation of individuals to countries where they may face torture or persecution, meaning some criminal deportations are deferred based on these human rights considerations.
Conclusion: A Complex Picture of Immigration, Criminal Records, and Cash Abolition
While data on migrants with criminal convictions is often used in political arguments, the reality is complex and includes multiple administrations’ policies and constraints in handling non-citizens with criminal records. DHS has reported that since January 2021, it has removed over 180,000 non-citizens with criminal convictions.
As political discussions around immigration intensify, the potential abolition of physical currency presents an opportunity to curb criminal networks. Moving towards a regulated, digital financial system could provide law enforcement with more robust tools to track illicit funds, combat criminal activities, and foster safer communities.