Myths Affecting the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Debate

dreamy14 · 05-15-2010, 05:23 PM

http://news.jornal.us/article-5007.M...m--Debate.html

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Show image by Moses Apsan, Esq.

May 15, 2010 – New York -- Since the passage of the anti-immigrant Arizonan law (SB 1070) , comprehensive immigration reform has moved from the back-burner to the front of today’s political issues. Soon enough comes the November elections and the candidates will be talking about immigration. As the campaign season rolls onward and the intensity of the rhetoric escalates, get the facts on five recurring myths, and clear the way for an honest immigration debate.

Myth #1: A deportation-only policy will fix our immigration problems. Deporting 12 million undocumented immigrants from the United States would cost an estimated $230 billion and result in a shortage of 2.5 million workers, according to a 2005 study from the Center for American Progress. And, in addition to damaging families and industries, a deportation-only policy does not address the fundamental dysfunction of our immigration system.

Myth #2: Immigrant workers suppress American wages. An overwhelming majority of economists agree that immigrants actually increase economic productivity and the wages of American workers. Additionally, the White House Council of Economic Advisers concluded in a 2007 report that roughly 90 percent of native born workers experience wage gains due to immigration, which total between $30 billion and $80 billion per year.

Myth #3: The United States spends billions on welfare for undocumented immigrants. Undocumented immigrants are not eligible to receive welfare benefits – ever. Even legal, permanent residents are severely limited when it comes to the benefits they can receive. They must pay into the Social Security and Medicare systems for about 10 years before they are eligible to receive retirement benefits. Furthermore, the percentage of U.S.- born children of immigrants – documented and undocumented – who are eligible for federal assistance is declining.

Myth #4: Undocumented immigrants are more likely to commit crimes than U.S. citizens. A 2007 study by the University of California, Irvine, found that, among men ages 18- 39 (who comprise the majority of the U.S. prison population), the incarceration rate for native-born citizens was 3.5 percent, five times higher than the rate for immigrants in 2000.

Myth #5: Immigrants don’t assimilate into U.S. society. In states with a long tradition of immigration, such as California, it has been found that immigrants do learn English and climb the socio- economic ladder over time, with each successive generation closing the income and education gap between themselves and white, native-born Americans.

This article incorporated with permission an article published by AILA (American Immigration Lawyers Association) AILA Doc. No. 08031241.

DREAMactASAP · 05-15-2010, 11:36 PM

It doesn't matter what you say or what facts you present, those racist white citizens who refuse to share what they got when nobody deserves anything, will not change their minds.

All they are going to say is: they broke the law, deport 'em. Round them up and ship them out. As if we are animals or something. I will NEVER understand why some people are like that. We are all one family, we should look out for one another, we should not be so mean and cold-hearted with each other.

In the end, justice will prevail. That is a fact.

cristian240 · 05-16-2010, 12:12 AM

i love #3, i don't know how these hicks got it into their heads that illegal immigrants receive welfare and other benefits. Good luck showing your undocumented ass at an unemployment benefits office.

DA User · 05-16-2010, 12:54 AM

The people who strongly oppose the CIR/Dream Act do not know anything about life as a immigrant in USA. Immigrants who come here are for a reason. They come here for a better life, education, career, better life for their kids. We are not saying to legalize the ones who have commited a serious crime. There are lot of them who here in desperation for better life.

Deporting is not a solution. America has invested in thousands of students who graduate each year from college and a lot of them go on to college for higher education. If we deport them then the job market will take a big hit.

They also say for the folks to go back to their home country and come back legally. Lol, if was that easy then people who fly back, get visas and come back the next day. We already know that there is a 10 year ban on this.

DA User · 05-16-2010, 12:55 AM

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Originally Posted by cristian240

i love #3, i don't know how these hicks got it into their heads that illegal immigrants receive welfare and other benefits. Good luck showing your undocumented ass at an unemployment benefits office.

You are right. I believe you have to be a parmanent resident or a US Citizen to get the benefits.

plz-724 · 05-16-2010, 02:09 AM

This should come at no surprise, most people against us think we get free housing, welfare, foodstamps, free everything. TOTALLY NOT TRUE! I have never gotten anything for free in my life. They know nothing about anything. All we can do is educate them and keep working our asses off.

gzmn_ntn · 05-16-2010, 09:40 AM

I agree with almost everything in this article except #4 because you have to take into account that their are more native born people incarcerated than immigrants. I have a work permit and even with a work permit and being in the country legally it is still very difficult to receive any type of benefit, my mom was just laid off and she had to wait about a month before she could receive any unemployment benefits. Which are not even benefits because technically its her money.

DA User · 05-16-2010, 02:09 PM

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Originally Posted by gzmn_ntn

I agree with almost everything in this article except #4 because you have to take into account that their are more native born people incarcerated than immigrants. I have a work permit and even with a work permit and being in the country legally it is still very difficult to receive any type of benefit, my mom was just laid off and she had to wait about a month before she could receive any unemployment benefits. Which are not even benefits because technically its her money.

I think you have to be a PR or a US Citizen to get unemployment.

gzmn_ntn · 05-16-2010, 06:31 PM

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Originally Posted by DA User

I think you have to be a PR or a US Citizen to get unemployment.

Nope, my mom gets unemployment and we've asked our attorney about it and she says that it doesn't affect you because it is your money being returned to you.

DA User · 05-16-2010, 09:16 PM

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Originally Posted by gzmn_ntn

Nope, my mom gets unemployment and we've asked our attorney about it and she says that it doesn't affect you because it is your money being returned to you.

So she has a temporary Visa status?

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Myths Affecting the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Debate