14 Common Myths about Undocumented Immigration by Trisha Gill
Today there are over 11 million undocumented immigrants in the United States. There are lots of debates going around about it. With it, the rise of different rumors and myths are also surfacing. Here are some of the most common ones you should stop talking about.
#1: Undocumented immigrants are taking American jobs.
FACTS: Basically, these illegal aliens just do the jobs that U.S. people just don’t want. These jobs include farming, gardening, janitorial works, chambermaids and nannies’ jobs, and other household domestics. They are apparently not the exact jobs that Americans want to take. The jobs that the immigrants usually take when they come to the U.S. belong to the minimum wage level.
#2: Undocumented immigrants do not pay taxes
FACTS: Most immigrants pay exactly the same taxes that the natives do. Most of them are working for bosses that do not know they’re illegal, or perhaps suspect they are but do not bother to dig deeper. Thus, an average boss of an undocumented illegal immigrant could deduct all the taxes from his entire bunch of employees– be it legal or not.
#3: Undocumented immigrants do not learn English
FACTs: Most educational systems in the world are now paying attention to the value of learning English. If the immigrant is a grandpa who comes from a developing country and has not reached the better educational system, then that would be a probable exception.
MYTH #4: Undocumented immigrants don’t contribute to the U.S. economy; they just come here to get on welfare.
FACTS: The myth is indeed just a myth. Undocumented immigrants actually have a huge contribution to the U.S. economy. They are working hard and performing significant jobs which are essential to the growth of the US economy. They’re paying the same taxes and are consuming goods—be it groceries, cars, etc.—and are buying the services that could eventually benefit the entire citizenry.
#5: Undocumented immigrants should legally apply to visit or work in the US.
FACTS: This is really ideal. However, it’s close to impossible. The current system for employment-based immigrants only allows around 5,000 low-skill Green Cards annually for the whole U.S.
#6: Undocumented immigrants are the reason for the disproportionate crime rate
FACTS: Lots of studies have demonstrated that the main cause of crime in the U.S. isn’t the rise of immigrants, despite their legal status.
#7: Undocumented immigrants are abusing the health care system.
FACTS: The rule is that undocumented immigrants aren’t entitled to any form of taxpayer funded health care. However, they can enjoy emergency medical treatment.
#8: Undocumented immigrants must be deported from United States.
FACTS: This is an unlikely solution. The entire population of undocumented immigrants (around 11 million) is equal to the whole populations of Oregon, Washington, and Idaho combined. It would be extremely hard for the government to locate and deport all these people.
#9: This problem would be eradicated if the government just takes the move to finish the fence along the southern border.
FACTS: For each 15-foot fence, there’s a 16- foot ladder or some shovel which can dig beneath it. Also, 40% of the undocumented immigrants in the U.S. have come in the legal way. They have initially hired undocumented immigrants to help them out. They just overstayed their visas. This fence idea could help, but it doesn’t solve the case entirely.
#10: The immigration reforms proposed in the U.S. Congress are just a form of amnesty
FACTS: Amnesty means “forgiveness with no penalty”. All of the proposals for immigration reform need payment/ fine of around $1000, learning English, and paying each back tax.
#11: Americans do not support immigration reform.
FACTS: There was a survey conducted that shows 60-70% approval from the Americans.
#12: Denying the driver’s licenses to undocumented immigrants could solve the problem.
FACTS: That wouldn’t be possible either. The main reason these undocumented immigrants are flocking in the US is to work. Nearly all workers in the US need a car to work.
#13: If only each employer is required to take verification measures for the social security number of each worker, this problem won’t have worsened.
FACTS: Yes, perhaps. This compulsory verification system for the social security does sound like a great idea. However, this can only happen if there’s an earned legalization program that’s placed in every area all at once.
#14: A law the same with that of Arizona would help in erasing this issue.
FACTS: The law in Arizona can be considered an overreaction and could be best compared to how the US overreacted to immigrants in the past. This law can be vague and could invite discrimination against these immigrants.
Trisha Gill, understands the essence of making excellent content that suits the needs of every business especially when it comes to translating legal documents. She can spice up your marketing campaign with the content and then incorporate TranslateDay services.