A study done by a criminologist at U.C. Berkeley’s School of Law has revealed that there is a smaller percentage of immigrants in California prisons in relation to the overall prison population.
Barry Krisberg authored the study entitled: "Where is the Fire? Immigrants and Crime in California." Krisberg found that California counties located closest to the Mexican border have shown a direct correlation between an increase in immigration and a decrease in crime. Specifically, Department of Justice data reveals that dating back to 1991 in San Diego County violent crime rates have declined by 58%, despite an overall increase in immigrant population.
As I like to say, build the proper message, and reform will come.