Ramiro Martinez Jr., Northeastern University professor

California State University, Northridge’s Criminology and Justice Studies Department will host a discussion titled “Does More Immigration Mean More Crime?” in the Whitsett Room of Sierra Hall on Tuesday, Feb. 27 from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Crime and immigration are often mistakenly linked when people focus on belief and ideology instead of fact-based research. Hoping to address these misconceptions, the discussion will feature Ramiro Martinez Jr., a professor at Northeastern University’s School of Criminology and Criminal Justice and Department of Sociology and Anthropology.

The public is invited to attend.

“There is a need to inform the public with real science and to challenge stereotypes,” said Vickie Jensen, the Criminology and Justice Studies Department chair. “Between the federal government’s misleading claims, people’s concern about immigration and the whittling away of the knowledge of crime, we have a greater need to hear from the experts who have done research.”

Martinez is a quantitative criminologist who contributes to research on violent crime. His core research examines violence in various ecological settings, and he examines the way violent crime and lethal victimization vary by ethnic and immigrant groups.

Martinez has received several honors and awards in areas of race, crime and justice. He also is the author of the book, “Latino Homicide: Immigration, Violence and Community.”

During the discussion, Martinez will address common misconceptions and present his research about the relationship between immigration and crime. Additionally, he will discuss the national implications of his research. A Q&A session will follow the discussion.

“We are pleased to present Dr. Martinez because he does high-quality research and shows students what’s possible for their futures, even if they believe they can’t be a professor or researcher,” Jensen said. “Students will get exposure to another person like themselves who’s accomplished a great deal. Martinez is a role model to all of us, especially scholars of color.”

The event is sponsored by CSUN’s Department of Criminology and Justice Studies, the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences and the Research and Graduate Studies’ Distinguished Visiting Speakers.

The Whitsett Room of Sierra Hall is located on the southwest side of the CSUN campus at 18111 Nordhoff St., Northridge 91330.

For more information, call 818-677-2117 or email cjs@csun.edu.