Here's Proof Illegal Immigration Doesn't Cause More Murders, In One Chart

It's become routine for immigration hardliners like U.S. Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa) to blame illegal immigration for an imaginary spike in violent crime . Other conservative politicians, like California state Assemblyman Tim Donnelly (R-Twin Peaks) or Texas state Sen. Dan Patrick (R-Houston) , commonly paint undocumented immigrants as criminals.

Several studies indicate , however, that immigrants -- both documented and undocumented -- are less likely than U.S. citizens to commit crimes . Furthermore, fears of illegal immigration fueling a rise in the homicide rate are simply unfounded.

The undocumented population in the United States began skyrocketing in the 1990s, spurred by a population boom in Mexico, the attractiveness of the then-surging U.S. economy and the economic dislocations in Mexico that accompanied the North American Free Trade Agreement . Contrary to what some critics say, during that time the homicide rate plummeted to its lowest level since 1963 .

This chart should put to rest any fears that the murder rate has spiked due to illegal immigration. It hasn't. Click the chart to enlarge.

Sources: Pew Hispanic Trends Project and FBI Uniform Crime Statistics .