In many areas, discussions about immigrants are often based on anecdotal evidence, incomplete data, and personal perceptions. Therefore, it is often difficult to get to the truth. People who are usually logical and rational begin to make statements based on emotions rather than facts. In addition, local politicians are quick to adopt ill-considered policies that can do more harm than good in the long run. Here are some myths and facts that relate to the topic of immigration:
Myth: Immigrants cause an increase in the crime rate.
Done: In a University of California-Irvine study published in February of this year, researchers concluded that “Since 1994, violent crime in the United States has decreased 34 percent and property crime has decreased 26 percent.” At the same time, the illegal immigrant population has doubled to about 12 million.” The study authors went on to say: “The misperception that immigrants, especially illegal immigrants, are responsible for the highest crime rates is deeply embedded in American public opinion and remains [merely] by media anecdotes and popular myths”.
Myth: The lowest real estate values are attributable to immigrants.
Done: Over the past several years, many communities have experienced a real estate “bubble” of inflated values, which, according to Wikipedia, “is a type of economic bubble that occurs periodically in local or global real estate markets. The US housing bubble was caused by record low interest rates, poor credit standards and a mania for buying houses. It peaked in 2005-2006 and has been deflating and accelerating ever since.”
Myth: Immigrants bring diseases, particularly tuberculosis.
Done: This may be true for immigrants from Africa, Eastern Europe, and the Indian subcontinent. According to the World Health Organization, Swaziland has a TB rate of 469 per 100,000 population. Other countries with high rates include Namibia [290]botswana [259]Cambodia [226]the philippines [132] and bangladeshi [105]. Mexico, by contrast, has a rate of just 13 per 100,000, less than relatively modern countries like Saudi Arabia. [18] and the bahamas [17]. Still, given these numbers, the Centers for Disease Control concluded that “the successful integration of migrant populations into the health care systems of their new communities is critical to the prevention and control of new and re-emerging infectious diseases.” “.
Myth: Undocumented immigrants are taking jobs that should be for US citizens.
Done: Overwhelmingly, Hispanic immigrants work in agriculture in strenuous jobs that native Americans avoid. Others work in landscaping, construction, janitorial work, and food service. With the national unemployment rate at just 4.6 percent [3 percent in the greater Washington area] there is a shortage of workers in all fields. It is in the United States’ interest to have more workers, not fewer, to sustain the nation’s economic growth.
Myth: Undocumented immigrants want the benefits of citizenship without “waiting in line” for immigration approval.
Done: Undocumented immigrants want to work to earn money and send them back to their home countries to care for their families. They don’t care about owning property, voting, serving on the school board, or running for public office. They pay sales tax when they purchase property and property tax through their rental payments. They are willing to pay income taxes as independent contractors or as regular employees. They do not expect benefits from welfare, Social Security or Medicare. They just look for temporary [renewable] work permits that will clarify their status in the workforce and allow them to earn a living.
