Rep. Steve Cohen Faces Backlash Over Comparison of Migrant and Citizen Crime Rates During Judiciary Hearing
Washington, D.C. — A heated exchange within the House Judiciary Committee has sparked a new viral controversy after Representative Steve Cohen (D-TN) made remarks comparing the criminality of undocumented immigrants to that of native-born U.S. citizens. The comments, amplified by the Republican National Committee (RNC), have intensified the partisan debate surrounding border security and public safety rhetoric.
During the committee proceedings, Rep. Cohen pushed back against the narrative that the United States is experiencing a wave of “migrant crime.” In a clip circulated widely by RNC Research, Cohen argued that the characterization of migrants as dangerous criminals was statistically inaccurate. He asserted that the “worst of the worst” offenders in the American justice system are frequently U.S. citizens, rather than those who have crossed the border illegally.
Statistical Context and Legislative Background
The Congressman’s comments appear to rely on a body of criminological research often cited by Democrats during immigration debates. Studies from institutions such as the National Bureau of Economic Research and the Cato Institute have consistently found that immigrants—both documented and undocumented—exhibit lower incarceration rates than native-born Americans. Cohen’s defense was intended to illustrate that crime is not an inherent trait of the migrant population and to caution against broad generalizations based on high-profile individual cases.
The hearing itself was convened to discuss legislation tied to border enforcement, specifically the “Laken Riley Act.” The bill is named after the Georgia nursing student whose tragic death in February was allegedly caused by a Venezuelan national who entered the country illegally. The legislation would require the detention of any migrant accused of theft or burglary, a direct response to the suspect’s prior police encounters.
Republican Objections and Public Outcry
The reaction to Cohen’s statement was immediate and severe from conservative circles. The RNC framed the Representative’s comments as a defense of “criminal illegals” and an attack on the American populace. Critics argue that Cohen’s comparison is tone-deaf to the realities of the border crisis and insensitive to victims of crimes committed by foreign nationals.
Opposition lawmakers contend that citing comparative crime rates is a deflection. The core argument presented by Republican leadership is that crimes committed by undocumented immigrants are entirely preventable, as the perpetrators should not have been in the country to begin with. By focusing on the “worst of the worst” among citizens, critics say Cohen is minimizing the failure of federal immigration enforcement and dismissing the specific threat posed by gaps in border security.
The controversy highlights the deepening divide in Washington, where data on aggregate crime rates frequently clashes with the emotional and political impact of specific, violent incidents involving undocumented entrants. As the Laken Riley Act moves through the legislative process, rhetoric regarding the character of migrants versus citizens remains a flashpoint for both parties.
