immigration myths

[grape ape]

here is a space to post and discuss immigration myths. these are pernicious falsehoods that can falsely label an immigrant no matter what the background or reason for being here.

i'll start with one:

Most immigrants are here illegally.
With so much controversy around the issue of undocumented immigrants, it’s easy to overlook the fact that most of the foreign-born living in the United States have followed the rules and have permission to be here. Of the more than 31 million foreign-born people living in the United States in 2009, about 20 million were either citizens or legal residents. Of those who did not have authorization to be here, about 45 percent entered the country legally and then let their papers expire.

 

[grape ape]

myth: It's just as easy to enter the country legally today as it was when my ancestors arrived.

truth: Ask students when their ancestors immigrated and if they know what the entry requirements were at the time. For about the first 100 years, the United States had an “open immigration system that allowed any able-bodied immigrant in,” explains immigration historian David Reimers. The biggest obstacle would-be immigrants faced was getting here. Today there are many rules about who may enter the country and stay legally. Under current policy, many students’ immigrant ancestors who arrived between 1790 and 1924 would not be allowed in today.

 

[grape ape]

myth: There’s a way to enter the country legally for anyone who wants to get in line.


Ask students if they know the rules to enter the country legally and stay here to work. The simple answer is that there is no “line” for most very poor people with few skills to stand in and gain permanent U.S. residency. Generally, gaining permission to live and work in the United States is limited to people who are (1) highly trained in a skill that is in short supply here, (2) escaping political persecution, or (3) joining close family already here.

http://www.tolerance.org/magazine/number-39-spring-2011/10-myths-about-immigration

 

[grape ape]

Immigrants Increase the Crime rate — FALSE

Recent research has shown that immigrant communities do not increase the crime rate and that immigrants commit fewer crimes than native born Americans. While the undocumented immigrant population doubled from 1994 to 2005, violent crime dropped by 34% and property crimes decreased by 32%. Furthermore, Harvard sociologist Robert Sampson has found that first generation immigrants are 45% less likely to commit violent crimes than Americanized, third generation immigrants.

(Source: Immigration Policy Center, “Ímmigrants and Crime: Are They Connected,” December, 2007, http://www.americanimmigrationcouncil.org/sites/default/files/docs/Crime Fact Check 12-12-07.pdf; Robert Sampson, “Open Doors Don’t Invite Criminals,” The New York Times, March 11, 2006, A15; Executive Office of the President: Council of Economic Advisors, “Immigration’s Economic Impact,” June 20, 2007, http://www.whitehouse.gov/cea/cea_immigration_062007.html)

http://www.justiceforimmigrants.org/myths.shtml

 

[grape ape]

Myth: Immigrants are overrunning our country, and most are here illegally.

The Facts: It is true that there are more immigrants living in the U.S. than ever before. However, the
percentage of immigrants in the overall population is not much different than during other large
waves. Today immigrants make up about 12% of the total U.S. population. From 1900 to 1930,
immigrants made up between 12% and 15% of the population, and similar spikes occurred in the
1850s and 1880s. The U.S. successfully absorbed immigrants during those periods, and there is no
reason to believe that we are being overrun today.
Of the 36 million immigrants in the U.S. today, two thirds (24 million) are here legally, and half of
those with legal status (12 million) are U.S. citizens. There are an estimated 12 million
undocumented immigrants in the U.S. Half (6 million) of these people entered the country legally as
tourists, students or temporary workers and became undocumented when their papers expired and
they didn t leave the country. Undocumented immigrants make up about 4% of the overall U.S.
population, and only 2% have crossed the border outside of legal channels.

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=15&ved=0CFkQFjAEOAo&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.adl.org%2Feducation%2Fcurriculum_connections%2Fspring_2009%2Fsupplements%2FMyths_and_Facts.pdf&ei=I1llT-GgAeq00AHk1rTJCA&usg=AFQjCNE9v_H5LIH-Ch2b8S-FQNda3jC0nA&sig2=F3Uq8G20LyA6ULpnpidL-g