New research published in The International Journal for Research in Social and Genetic Epidemiology and Mental Health Services demonstrates that immigrant youth are less likely than their U.S.-born counterparts to participate in delinquent behaviors and use/abuse marijuana and other illegal drugs. Additionally, they only begin to engage in these behaviors when assimilating.

This study has emerged amid increased attention on immigration issues following recent comments by Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump. The presidential candidate insulted the entire U.S.-dwelling Mexican undocumented immigrant population -- and the greater Hispanic population -- deeming Mexican immigrants "criminals" and "rapists." He then added that, "some," he assumes, "are good people."

Nonetheless, Trump's proclamations have been defeated by the new study,which found that immigrant adolescents are less likely to engage in delinquent behaviors, such as carrying guns, binge drinking, fighting, and selling drugs. Additionally, immigrant youth are less likely than U.S.-born peers to use and abuse marijuana and other illegal drugs.

There is an undying assumption that immigrants eagerly participant in the misuse of alcohol and drugs and violent behaviors. However, among those who've lived in the U.S. for fewer than five years, as well as those who arrived to the U.S. at age 12 or older, that belief is untrue. According to the report, immigrant youth are 50 percent less likely to report binge drinking, drug selling and drug use, compared to U.S.-born youth. Immigrants who arrived at age 12 or older are one-third as likely to have recently used or sold illegal drugs, including marijuana. Also, the odds of carrying handguns, involvement in serious violent attacks or other delinquent, externalizing behaviors are 33 percent lower for foreign-born older adolescents (ages 15-17) than U.S. born peers. There is a link between nativity and externalizing behavior, which may be driven by differences between foreign-bon and U.S. born who self-identify as Hispanic or non-Hispanic black.

The report's researchers confirmed that their findings were consistent with past research that focused on acculturation. The longer foreign-born individuals live in the U.S., the more likely they are to resemble U.S.-born individuals.

"In recent years, as we have seen growth in the number of immigrants in United States, we have also witnessed rising concern that immigrants may present a threat to American society," University of Texas social work professor and study leader Christopher Salas-Wright said in a press release. "Our research adds to the growing body of evidence indicating that, despite experiencing adversity on multiple fronts, immigrants are substantially less likely than those born in the United States to be involved in antisocial and risky behavior."

The study borrowed data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health that was collected between 2002 and 2009. Study participants included immigrant youth ages 12 to 17, as well as non-Hispanic whites (20 percent) and Asians (20 percent). The migration status of participants wasn't questioned; instead they were asked if they were born outside of the U.S., at what age had they migrated and how long ago.

The report revealed that immigrant youth are more likely to come from close-knit families who have strong relationships with parental figures and have positive engagement at school. Also, they're more likely to disapprove of drug use.

The findings are timely, but involve years of research conducted by social scientists at the University of Texas-Austin. Researchers had long been curious about depictions of immigrants in the media, and measured reliable data and empirical examinations to confirm that immigrant adolescents are less likely to engage in drug use and criminal behavior. The report is the first of its kind to focus on immigrant adolescence.

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