Today, U.S. Congressman Henry Cuellar, Ph.D. (TX-28) released FBI crime statistics from 2022, demonstrating that border communities are safer than non-border cities in the United States.

“As someone who lives on the border and has raised a family here, I have found that the rhetoric about our southern border offers little resemblance to what is on the ground,” said Dr. Cuellar. “Year after year, FBI statistics show that crime rates are lower on the border than non-border cities across the country. The reality of our border communities is simple: our crime rates are low, and our residents feel safe because of the efforts of our local, state, and federal law enforcement. As a Senior Member of the House Appropriations Committee, I will continue to fund programs that support our law enforcement and protect our communities. I would like to thank the dedicated law enforcement officers and local leaders at our southern border who keep our communities safe.”

In 2022, the murder rate in New Orleans, Louisiana, was 71.9 for every 100,000 residents, according to the FBI’s Uniform Crime Report; meanwhile, in border communities like Laredo and El Paso, Texas, it was less than 5. In addition, Cleveland, Ohio, had 1,613.7 violent crimes for every 100,000 residents. Comparatively, Laredo, Texas, had 316.8 violent crimes for every 100,000 residents, while Rio Grande City, Texas, had 146.5.

Below are bar graphs showing murder rates and violent crime rates between Texas border cities and select U.S. cities, as well as Texas border cities and select Texas cities.

Prepared by the Office of Congressman Henry Cuellar
Source: Uniform Crime Report, Federal Bureau of Investigation
The FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program defines murder and nonnegligent manslaughter as the willful (nonnegligent) killing of one human being by another.

Prepared by the Office of Congressman Henry Cuellar
Source: Uniform Crime Report, Federal Bureau of Investigation
According to the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program, violent crime is composed of four offenses: Murder and nonnegligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, and aggravated assault. Violent crimes are defined in the UCR Program as those offenses that involve force or threat of force.

Prepared by the Office of Congressman Henry Cuellar
Source: Uniform Crime Report, Federal Bureau of Investigation
The FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program defines murder and nonnegligent manslaughter as the willful (nonnegligent) killing of one human being by another.

Prepared by the Office of Congressman Henry Cuellar
Source: Uniform Crime Report, Federal Bureau of Investigation
According to the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program, violent crime is composed of four offenses: Murder and nonnegligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, and aggravated assault. Violent crimes are defined in the UCR Program as those offenses that involve force or threat of force.

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