The Netherlands became an immigration country only recently, with immigration of Surinamese and Antillean migrants of Dutch nationality between 1969 and 1975, an influx of guest workers from Turkey, Morocco, and other countries in the 1970's, and a more recent influx of asylum seekers in the 1980's and 1990's. Several ethnic minorities in the Netherlands commit more crimes and more serious crimes than do Dutch offenders in relation to their share of the population. Minority offenders who commit less serious or nonserious offenses appear to be punished more harshly than similar Dutch offenders. In addition, relatively more ethnic minority members are placed in pretrial detention and sentenced to prison, partly due to different crime patterns, partly due to lack of fixed residences, and partly due to their smaller likelihood of appearing at the trial and pleading guilty. However, even when these variables are considered, being a minority continues to be a factor in sentencing. Although ethnic stereotyping may have a part in this situation, the disparities appear to result largely form the unfavorable economic, social, and legal position of ethnic minorities. Figures, tables, and 81 references (Author abstract modified)