| Summary: | 碩士 === 國立臺北大學 === 犯罪學研究所 === 95 === ABSTRACT
THE STUDY OF THE FEATURES OF CRIMES COMMITTED
BY MAINLAND CHINESE IN TAIWAN
by
HUNG, SHENG-KUN
January 19, 2007
ADVISOR(S): Dr. SHEU, CHUEN-JIM
DEPARTMENT: GRADUATE SCHOOL OF CRIMINOLOGY
MAJOR：CRIMINOLOGY
DEGREE: MASTER OF LAW
Ground on official statistics, the crimes committed by illegal Chinese immigrants in Taiwan have the following trajectories in recent years: (1) an increasing number of illegal Chinese aliens by using fraudulent document; (2) an exacerbating social problems caused by Chinese immigrants working without permits; (3) a dramatic increase of the arrests of illegal male Chinese aliens; (4) a rapid growing rate of violence crimes committed by illegal Chinese immigrants in the past years. Among these four trends, there are several empirical studies focused on the study of human trafficking organization, its job distribution, the flow process and crime pattern of smuggling, causal factors of smuggling, etc. whereas the lack of empirical study exploring “why illegal Chinese immigrants commit more violence crime?” still exists.
By conducting in-depth interviews to Chinese inmates jailed in Taiwan’s prisons, this study further explores the possible motivations that inspire Chinese immigrants’ smuggling. In the same time, analyzing their life style in Taiwan helps understand their demographic characteristics and the possible causal factors of crimes.
Fourteen Chinese inmates held in Taipei and Yilan prisons were interviewed as part of the study. The crimes of interviewees are categorized into violence and non-violence. Violence crimes include kidnapping, robbery and homicide. Non-violence crimes include drug, illegal weapon possession, document forgery, violation of Chinese-Taiwanese Relationship Code, and escaping. For each category, seven inmates were interviewed.
The inductive analysis finds a strong economic motivatives behind most illegal Chinese aliens. Few of them are inspired by their curiosity towards Taiwan. In addition, male Chinese smugglers bear the traditional responsibilities as the bread-earner for their family. When assessing the risk and benefits before smuggling, rational calculation plays a pivotal factor in their decision-making process.
Since most interviewed Chinese inmates entered Taiwan illegally, this study finds their lifestyle in Taiwan with several characteristics: (1) weakening old social bonds in China; (2) difficulty developing new social bonds in Taiwan; (3) the type of jobs engaged in Taiwan are usually dirty, difficult and dangerous; (4) the social networks of immigrants established in the first place; (5) the existence of potential cultural conflicts.
After interviewing with non-violence inmates, this study concludes that the interviewees (1) have low education background; (2) know very little about Taiwan laws; (3) lack of stress management skills to cope with pressures that come from life and work; (4) the illegal status of smuggling enhances their chances to commit crime in Taiwan.
Meanwhile, the possible factors that cause male Chinese smugglers commit violence crime are: (1) frustrated aggression; (2) acknowledge deficient and criminal thinking; (3) initiated by alcohol; (4) rational choice; (5) association with gangsters or criminal fellows.
After studying the characteristics and causal factors of the inmates, the study confirms that “Smuggling or illegal entry” indeed becomes a pre-condition of crimes committed by male Chinese immigrants especially on violence crimes. Thus for short term strategies, it is recommended that, (1) re-enforcing the arrest of smugglers from mainland China, (2) imposing harsher punishment for leaders of human smuggling groups, (3) encouraging the establishment of civic counseling centers for Chinese immigrants. For long term strategies, it is recommended that (1) the Government may consider imposing harsher punishments for employers hiring illegal immigrants, (2)) encourage Chinese smugglers to turn themselves in through public media campaign. The goal of the recommendations is to implement the five strategies into phases and effectively reduce the number of Chinese smugglers in Taiwan. By shortening the period of stay in Taiwan, the reasons for crimes can be minimized.
Key Words: Chinese immigrants, illegal entry, smuggling, violence crime, crime feature
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