>>And poverty does not have to be associated with crime. Not everybody who is poor is a criminal; in fact majority are not.

Yes, but there is an association, just as you say there is an association with illegal immigration. Perhaps it's actually the same association if you presume that illegal immigrants must accept poverty to stay under the radar.

>>When I came to live in this country (30+ years ago)I lived in the inner-city of New Orleans... When I would go shopping I would often find myself the only white face in the store. And strange looks like "you got to be really poor to be here. :) " I didn't have a car so I would grab two grocery bags (I was single and lived by myself so that was enough) and carry these home through total slums of N.O. I saw tons of poor people as I would go back and force to do my shopping. But they were not criminals; just very poor.

Those were kinder days, weren't they. Can't comment on New Orleans but in most cities, these days that neighborhood either is gentrified with the poor shunted somewhere less desirable, or it is awash with drugs and criminal types who are the only ones who have any money.