The Recidivism Patterns of Previously Deported Aliens Released From a Local Jail: Are They High-Risk Offenders?

Abstract

Previously deported aliens are a group about which numerous claims are made but very few facts are known. Using data on male deportable aliens released from a local jail, the study sought to test the ubiquitous claim that they pose a high risk of recidivism. Using multiple measures of recidivism and propensity score weighting to account for preexisting group differences, the authors find consistent support for the assertion that previously deported aliens are a high recidivism risk. Relative to similarly situated deportable aliens with no record of deportation, previously deported aliens are more likely to be rearrested, to be rearrested more quickly, and to be rearrested more frequently in a 1-year follow-up period.