Rhetoric vs. Reality: Unpacking the Myths Surrounding Immigration

Myth: Immigrants Increase Crime Rates
Among the most persistent political talking points raised by opponents of immigration is the claim that migrants increase crime in the U.S. Former President Donald Trump famously stated in 2016, “When Mexico sends its people, they’re not sending their best.” Similarly, a Republican vice presidential nominee, J.D. Vance, suggested correlations between ethnic enclaves and crime rates during a police association meeting.

However, evidence contradicts this narrative. Multiple studies show that immigrants are considerably less likely than U.S.-born citizens to engage in criminal activity. A comprehensive study spanning over 150 years found that U.S.-born individuals were consistently more likely to be incarcerated than immigrants, with recent data indicating that immigrants are now 60% less likely to experience incarceration.

Assertions linking immigrants to spikes in crime in their communities also lack support. FBI data reveals that crime rates, including violent crime, have decreased in major cities since the pandemic, despite claims of chaos in border areas. In fact, crime rates in these regions are often lower than the national average.

The harmful impact of these associations is felt deeply, especially by individuals like Irayda Flores, a businesswoman in Phoenix. Flores emigrated from Sonora, Mexico, in 2004 and successfully established her seafood wholesale business, El Mar de Cortez Corp. “Politicians talk about the migrant community like they’re criminals,” she remarked, highlighting the need to recognize the positive contributions immigrants make in their communities.

Dismissing the entire immigrant population as criminals is unjust, she argues. “You can’t generalize or treat an entire immigrant group as criminals,” Flores stated, emphasizing that many immigrants contribute significantly to the economy and deserve respect.

Myth: Invasion at the U.S.-Mexico Border
As politicians frame the situation at the U.S.-Mexico border as an “invasion,” the reality is significantly more nuanced. Late 2023 saw a peak in migrant encounters, with over 300,000 reported in December, attributed partly to global migration trends exacerbated by the pandemic.

However, the number subsequently dropped dramatically, sometimes reaching lows not recorded since before the pandemic. By August 2024, encounters had slightly increased but remained manageable at around 107,000.

Myth: Fentanyl Smuggling by Migrants
The portrayal of migrants as the primary conduit for fentanyl smuggling is also misrepresented. Border security data indicates that over 90% of fentanyl confiscated by U.S. Customs and Border Protection comes through legal entry points, often facilitated by U.S. citizens. In fact, nearly 87% of fentanyl trafficking convictions in the last fiscal year involved American nationals.

Myth: Immigrants Exploit Public Benefits
Another common misconception is that immigrants benefit disproportionately from public aid. Federal assistance programs like SNAP and Medicaid primarily serve U.S. citizens, leaving many immigrants ineligible. While some legal permanent residents can access benefits after five years, undocumented immigrants generally cannot. Emergency programs exist to support migrants facing life-threatening situations, but opportunities for aid remain limited.

Myth: Easing into U.S. Citizenship
The notion that gaining U.S. citizenship is straightforward is fundamentally flawed. The process is complex, costly, and often lengthy, with backlogged systems causing significant delays. For instance, applicants married to U.S. citizens undergo rigorous checks, often taking years to navigate.

Asylum seekers face challenges as well, with stringent screenings to prove their claims against persecution. Additionally, a backlog of over 3 million immigration cases leads to waiting times of up to four years, with many applicants still in limbo.

Myth: Immigrants Don’t Contribute to Taxes
Contrary to common belief, undocumented immigrants contribute significantly to taxes. An analysis of the 2022 American Community Survey estimated their contributions at $383 billion in federal taxes and $196 billion in local and state taxes. Notably, while they cannot access Social Security benefits, approximately $13 billion from their wages flows into the system each year.

Saúl Rascón, a DACA recipient engaged in pro-immigrant advocacy, expressed his frustration about the continuous misrepresentation of immigrants. “It’s particularly frustrating when immigrants are pinned as this economic deficit,” he explained. The disinformation surrounding immigrant contributions fosters hostility and detriments the larger discourse on immigration reform, diverting focus from productive discussions.