During a recent event hosted by the Milwaukee Police Association, Senator JD Vance, who has been chosen as Donald Trump’s partner in the running, has revisited his polarizing views on immigration. Vance was queried about his assertions from 2021, where he suggested that historic influxes of immigrants had escalated crime rates, and whether he believed mass removal would have been a solution.
In response to these questions, the Senator from Ohio invoked the 2002 film ‘Gangs of New York’ by Martin Scorsese. This movie features a plot where Leonardo DiCaprio, portraying an Irish immigrant, seeks retaliation for his father’s demise at the hands of a violent anti-immigrant society in the mid-19th century.
Vance expressed that substantial constitutions of ethnic groups in the United States can potentially instigate crime surges. He argued that large-scale unlawful immigration may instigate ethnic disagreements and increment crime rates, a theme he credits to have been notably present in the recent past.
However, using ‘Gangs of New York’ as associative evidence for his arguments against immigration has led to debate over Vance’s understanding of the film. Philip Bump, a columnist at The Washington Post, noted that the most ruthless, callous killer in that Scorsese film was actually the native-born individual with an entrenched hatred for immigrants.
Not only is Vance’s referencing of the movie as an argument in contention, but his claims about real-world crime statistics have also been put under scrutiny. Empirical studies and research have consistently found there to be no crucial correlation between immigration and crime.
Indeed, investigations have time and again revealed that immigrants, compared to native-born citizens of the United States, are statistically less likely to commit crimes. This assertion was corroborated by a study conducted by Michael Light, a professor of sociology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
In an interview with Reuters in April, Light stated, ‘While it’s true that individuals born outside the United States have also engaged in criminal behavior, it’s incorrect to imply that these individuals have a higher propensity for such activity than those born within the country. The clear answer to that, supported by extensive research, is no.’
Notwithstanding, instances of brutal crime caused by immigrants receive considerable national attention. This media trend can be attributed, in large part, to rampant discourse about migrants overstepping Americans in the job market and engaging in illegal activities—narratives often pushed by Trump.
Vance’s ardent defense of such narratives and his efforts to strengthen Trump’s political stance have faced considerable hurdles. He has previously come under intense criticism over his controversial remarks about women, and these statements have surfaced on multiple occasions, causing harm to his public standing.
Besides, his recent utterances on immigration have not aided in mitigating the existing negative sentiments or enhancing his popularity. Polls in the recent phase indicate that his work to woo the American voters hasn’t been fruitful, leading to a hike in his unfavorable ratings.
According to the recent polling data, his unpopularity has surged by over 9% since he was named the running mate for the GOP’s nomination. With such an unfavorable response from Americans, Vance’s stance and strategy may need a careful reassessment for gaining a favorable outcome.
It is crucial to note that the information shared in this article draws its origin from a piece formerly published on MSNBC.com, restructured here for the purpose of delivering the same narrative in a fresh light.