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According to the U.S. Sentencing Commission, Latinos comprise the new majority of those sentenced to federal prison during the first three quarters of 2011. Felony immigration crimes accounted for most of the increase. Latinos comprise about 16 percent of the U.S. population.

From Immigration Prof Blog:

[A] new government report shows that more than half of all people sent to federal prison for felonies this year were Hispanic. For the first time, Hispanics made up the majority all federal felony offenders sentenced in the first nine months of fiscal year 2011, according to the U.S. Sentencing Commission. Hispanics comprised 50.3 percent of all people sentenced in that time period, blacks 19.7 percent and whites 26.4 percent. Hispanics make up about 16 percent of the U.S. population.

The statistics reveal that felony immigration crimes, which include illegal crossing and other crimes such as alien smuggling, were responsible for most of the increase in the number of Hispanics sent to prison over the last decade.

The Third Quarter FY11 Quarterly Sentencing Update can be downloaded from the U.S. Sentencing Commission here.

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