Myths

MYTH: The United States is being flooded with refugees.

FACT:  in 2018, the Administration set the lowest refugee admissions goal since the resettlement program began in 1980, admitting only about 20,000 refugees. For comparison, the average number of refugees admitted to the U.S. from 2010-2017 was approximately 67,000/year and in 1980 was over 200,000. Migration Policy Institute.

MYTH: Immigrants are more likely to commit crimes than native-born Americans.

FACT: In 2006, the 10 states with the most pronounced recent increases in immigration had the lowest rates of crime in general and violent crime in particular. US Chamber of Commerce

MYTH  Building a wall along our Southern boarder would enhance security.

FACT: Research shows that the majority of people in the country without permission are those who overstayed their visas rather than walking across a border. (NY Times 5-22-17)

MYTH: Low-skilled workers take away jobs, lower salaries and hurt the economy.

FACT: As producers and consumers, undocumented immigrants enlarge the economic pie by at least $36 billion a year. That number would triple if they could obtain legal status. Forbes

MYTH: Immigrants don´t pay taxes and cost more than they contribute.

FACT: Immigrants pay many local and state levies, including real estate and sales taxes, and about $7 billion in Social Security taxes. Forbes

FACT: Over a decade, refugees brought in $63 billion more than they cost. US Dept Human Services in a report quashed by the White House. (Mpls Star Tribune 10/2/2017)