Illegal immigrants are generating large crime numbers in Phoenix, Arizona

Illegal immigrants account for one-third of the drug convictions; 44% of forgery convictions and 20% of the felony DUI convictions in the Phoenix area, according to a study by Maricopa County Attorney Andrew Thomas. Thomas said that illegal immigrants make up 19% of those convicted of crimes in Maricopa County and 21% of those in county jails. There are an estimated 579,000 illegal immigrants in the state, making up 9% of Arizona’s population, according to the Center for Immigration Studies. Illegals accounted for 10% of sex crimes, 11% of murders and 13% of stolen cars, according to Thomas’ office, which looked at 2007 sentencing and jail statistics.