A recent social media post by Joshua Steinman, a former White House official and entrepreneur, has sparked discussion with claims that "illegals are likely responsible for over 30% of vehicular catastrophes in CA" and that deporting "every illegal" is about "removing systemic cancers." Steinman, who served on the National Security Council Staff as Deputy Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Cyber from 2017-2021, made the assertions on social media.
"Deporting EVERY illegal isn’t just about the rule of law. It’s about removing systemic cancers. Breaking one law? Likely breaking others. Illegals are likely responsible for over 30% of vehicular catastrophes in CA. Think of the impact: deaths, damages, slowdowns, etc." Steinman stated in the tweet.
However, available research and data from California contradict the specific claim regarding vehicular accidents. Studies, including one from the Immigration Policy Lab at Stanford University and reported by CapRadio, found that the implementation of AB 60 in California, which allows undocumented immigrants to obtain driver's licenses, did not lead to an increase in total accidents or fatal accidents. Instead, the studies indicated a decrease in hit-and-run accidents, suggesting an improvement in traffic safety.
Regarding the broader implication of higher crime rates among undocumented immigrants, research from various sources also challenges this premise. Studies from the Cato Institute and the University of Wisconsin-Madison, analyzing data from Texas and other states, generally conclude that undocumented immigrants have lower crime rates than native-born citizens. These findings often highlight that immigrants, regardless of legal status, are less likely to commit crimes than native-born individuals.
The claims made by Steinman align with a long-standing debate surrounding immigration and public safety. While concerns about the rule of law are often raised, empirical data frequently points to a more nuanced reality regarding the impact of undocumented immigrants on crime and public safety metrics like vehicular accidents.