There are a lot of myths and misconceptions out there about immigration and immigration. Unfortunately, some of these myths are used to demonize immigrants. At Goldstein Immigration Lawyers, we believe strongly in equal rights, equitable opportunities, and justice for all. Here, our Los Angeles immigration law firm dispels five of the most damaging myths about immigration.
Immigrating to the United States is Easy—Anyone Can Do It
False. More than a century ago, that statement reflected reality. In the early part of the nineteenth century, America had open immigration laws. Currently, immigrating to the United States is complicated. With few exceptions—such as for marriage-based green cards—there are strict limits on the number of people that can immigrate to the country each year.
Immigration is a Drain On Our Economy—It Costs Americans Jobs
False. Immigrants help to make our economy far more dynamic. Some of the most common arguments against immigration are simply not supported by the research. As an example, the American Immigration Council cites a wide body of economic research that consistently shows that more immigration does not lead to an increase in the unemployment rate. More immigrants mean more workers, but also far more productivity and economic activity.
Immigrants Commit Crime at a Higher Rate
False. The exact opposite is true. Factcheck.org cites one of the most comprehensive studies ever conducted on the issue. In 2015, there were nearly 900,000 arrests made in Texas. Researchers went through every arrest, finding that both legal immigrants and undocumented immigrants commit crime at lower rates than native born Americans.
Undocumented Immigrants Do Not Pay Any Taxes.
False. In reality, undocumented immigrants pay a significant amount of taxes without being able to access many public benefits. The Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy estimates that undocumented immigrants pay more than $11 billion per year in state and local taxes. Additionally, when counting employer contributions, undocumented immigrants pay around $13 billion into Social Security. This is despite the fact that these immigrants do not get Social Security benefits.
Refugees Come Into the United States Without Background Checks
False. It is very difficult to come to the United States as a refugee. Our country takes in far fewer refugees than many of our peer countries, such as Canada or Germany. The process is also quite slow, and there is a comprehensive background check. It takes approximately two years to get through the process needed to come to the United States as a refugee. It is simply not true to say that there is no screening of refugee applicants.
We are an Immigration Law Firm Serving Los Angeles and Southern California
At Goldstein Immigration Lawyers, our legal practice is devoted to immigration law. With a demonstrated record of success across a wide range of immigration law cases, we are driven to help people and families find the solutions that work best for them. Call our LA law office or send us a message through our website to schedule a confidential initial consultation with an attorney.
Sharing is caring: