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FACT BRIEF

Are undocumented immigrants filling Oklahoma prisons?

By Sue Bin Park
View this fact brief on Oklahoma Watch
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NO

Undocumented immigrants account for less than 2% of Oklahoma’s total prison population as of 2024.

According to Gov. Kevin Stitt, there are about 500 prisoners with undocumented status in the state. There are approximately 33,000 detainees held in federal, state, and local prisons and jails, according to spring 2024 data.

A significant body of research has indicated that undocumented immigrants are less likely to be incarcerated for crimes, with one analysis from the CATO Institute finding they were 37.1% less likely to be convicted than documented immigrants or citizens.

Recent studies have also found no correlation between an increase in undocumented immigrants and a rise in violent or property crime in the area.

Ed. note: This Fact Brief was updated on Dec. 19, 2024 to clarify detainee counts.

This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.
Sources
Washington Examiner Oklahoma wants to empty prisons of illegal immigrants to help Trump with mass deportations
Vera Institute of Justice People in Jail and Prison in 2024
NPR Immigrants are less likely to commit crimes than U.S.-born Americans, studies find
National Institute of Justice Undocumented Immigrant Offending Rate Lower Than U.S.-Born Citizen Rate
ABOUT THE CONTRIBUTOR
Oklahoma Watch
Oklahoma Watch is a nonprofit, tax-exempt, 501(c)(3) corporation that produces in-depth and investigative journalism as a public service for the benefit of all Oklahomans. Through investigative, fact-driven journalism, we dig deep and examine significant issues facing our state. Our work engages all Oklahomans, amplifies the discussion of important issues and leads to change. We help develop the journalists and journalism of the future.
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About fact briefs published on Gigafact
Fact briefs are short, credibly sourced summaries that offer “yes/no” answers in response to claims found online. They rely on publicly available, often primary source data and documents. Fact briefs are created by contributors to Gigafact —a nonprofit project looking to expand participation in fact-checking and protect the democratic process. See all fact briefs here.