Immigrating to the USA: Myths and Realities
Every year, there are many people from different countries immigrating to the United States. In fact, as of 2006, the United States is found to accept more legal immigrants to be permanent residents than any country in the world. In 2006, the total number of immigrants in the United States was estimated to number 37.5 million people.(1) Various myths surround immigration, and these myths are perpetuated by some uninformed groups and people, and even several media outlets. If you’d like to immigrate to the USA, then it’s important for you to know which pieces of information are just myths. This way, you’ll know just what to believe and what not to. This would also let you know what other people think of immigration and immigrants.(2)
Myth #1: In polls, majority of Americans voted that immigration should be reduced
This isn’t true. Americans aren’t against immigration at all when polled within the appropriate context. Vince Breglio, a Republican pollster, found out that by a two-to-one margin, Americans voted that US citizens should continue to sponsor their adult children as well as brothers and sisters. Grass Roots Research also released the results of a national poll that showed 61% of Americans agreeing with the statement saying “Anyone, from any country in the world, should be free to come to America if they are financially able to provide for themselves and their family.” With this in mind, you can at least be assured that not every American thinks negatively about immigrants.(3)
Myth #2: Because of poor US border enforcement, there has been a higher rate of undocumented immigration.
The fact is that the budget of the Border Patrol increased six times between 1986 and 1998, and there are now double the number of agents patrolling the southern border. The remote wilderness areas around the border are also inhospitable areas, making border crossings in those areas practically impossible. The real reason behind undocumented immigration to the United States is that compared to the amount of jobs available to immigrants, the legal avenues for immigrants are insufficient.(4) But this doesn’t mean that you should try to get into the US as an undocumented immigrant because, if you’re discovered, you risk being deported.(5)
Myth #3: Immigrants don’t pay any taxes
Immigrants are not exempt from paying taxes; they have to pay taxes just like everyone else. In fact, immigrants pay around $90 to $140 billion a year when it comes to state, local, and federal taxes. With immigrants earning around $240 billion each year, paying around $90 billion in taxes, and using only around $5 billion in public benefits, the government actually earns more off immigrants than it does off Americans. Usually, it is undocumented immigrants that do not use public benefits for fear of getting caught. This just goes to show that it would be better to come to America as a legal immigrant.(6)
Myth #4: Most immigrants have illegally crossed the border, making them undocumented immigrants
Approximately two thirds of immigrants are legal immigrants, and almost 50% of illegal immigrants entered the country in a legal way. This means that they came to the United States with visas allowing them to reside in the country temporarily as students, tourists, or temporary workers. These immigrants were inspected by immigration officials before they were allowed entry into the country, and they became undocumented immigrants when they didn’t leave the country after their visas expired. Illegal immigrants often don’t get to use public services, so make sure that you come to the US as a legal immigrant so that you can make the most out of your stay in the country.(7)
Myth #5: Nothing could be done regarding the backlash against immigrants
If you’re scared about being discriminated against, or that it would be hard for you to cope in America because Americans will be against you being there, don’t worry too much. The backlash against immigrants is being dealt with by well-meaning people through educating others in communities. Even immigrants have rights too, and you can always seek help if you get to the United States and find that it’s hard for you to get a job or a place to stay in because you’re being discriminated against.(8)
Myth #6: Immigrants are discriminated against because they are more likely to commit crime than native-born Americans
In the United States, immigrants in every ethnic group actually have lower rates of crime and imprisonment compared with the native-born Americans. Even adolescent immigrants are less likely than native-born teenagers to engage in negative behaviors such as violence, substance abuse, and delinquency that often lead to imprisonment. If you’re not going to be a threat to public safety and national security, then you don’t have to be afraid that immigration officials are going to be prejudiced against you because they think that you’re going to cause crime rates to rise.(9)
Myth #7: Immigrants increase the unemployment rate of native-born Americans
There are some Americans believing that immigrants take away jobs from Americans. This isn’t true at all. For one, immigrants actually increase the demand for various services and goods because of their consumption. Immigrants have also been found to have high rates of entrepreneurship, which can lead to the creation of jobs for Americans. They also contribute to the economy and can necessitate the growth of markets. Aside from that, immigrants can fill vital niches in both the high and low-skilled parts of the labor market, creating subsidiary job openings for Americans. Although there may be many job opportunities in the United States, it would still be good to secure a job before you
go there, perhaps through an employment agency.(10)
Myth #8: The United States spends billions of dollars on welfare benefits for undocumented immigrants
If you think you’re going to receive lots of welfare benefits for being an immigrant, then you have to know that undocumented immigrants are actually not qualified to receive any welfare benefits. Even those who are legal immigrants are restricted when it comes to the benefits they can receive. So you have to make sure that you’ll be able to sustain yourself and family when you immigrate to the United States.(11)
Common misperceptions regarding immigration to USA can result in doubt and suspicion. This is why it’s very important for you to do some research about immigration and to seek the help of immigration lawyers if you plan to immigrate to the US. After all, you wouldn’t want to get there illegally and find yourself deported, would you?(12)
Sources:
(1) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Us_immigration
(2) http://www.ehow.com/how_2382872_understand-top-five-immigration-myths.html
(3) http://www.freetrade.org/node/562
(4) http://www.ehow.com/how_4398118_understand-ten-immigration-myths-facts.html
(5) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illegal_immigration
(6) http://www.pbs.org/pov/pov2007/madeinla/special_02.html
(7) http://www.aclu.org/immigrants/34870pub20080411.html
(8) http://www.hartford-hwp.com/archives/45/110.html
(9) http://www.payvand.com/news/07/aug/1004.html
(10) http://sandiego.indymedia.org/en/2005/07/110140.shtml
(11) http://www.aollatinoblog.com/2008/02/08/top-5-immigration-myths-of-this-campaign-season/
(12) http://www.pbs.org/independentlens/newamericans/quiz.html