Immigration Facts:

Immigration is a topic filled with many different opinions. Caught up in these opinions are many myths about immigrants and immigration, here are some facts:

Immigrants Pay Taxes

All immigrants are required to pay taxes. Even undocumented immigrants pay sales, excise, and property taxes. It has been estimated that undocumented immigrants alone contribute $6-7 billion dollars annually in Social Security taxes that they will never be able to claim. Employers must be able to assert they believe their workers are documented and therefore, pay by the book – with payroll tax deductions. Undocumented migrants often file taxes with Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers (ITINs), originally used for foreign investors.

To learn more about immigrants and taxes, visit the following sites:
MALDEF-Truth in Immigration
The Advocates for Human Rights- Energy of a Nation
New York Times

Immigration is a Boost to the U.S Economy

Immigration is estimated to account for 14% of the total civilian labor force. In a 2005 report, the White House Council of Economic Advisors concluded that immigration increases U.S. Gross Domestic Product by roughly $37 billion each year. These facts are provided by the Urban Institute and the White House Council of Economic Affairs.

To learn more about the economic contributions of immigrations visit the following sites:
Immigration Policy Center
Immigration Impact
Reuters: The Great Debate

E-Verify is not a Solution

Mandatory E-Verify without comprehensive immigration reform will not end illegal immigration, free up jobs for unemployed Americans, or save the country money. In fact, studies of E-Verify predict the opposite.

Learn more

Immigrants don’t Raise Crime Rates

Recent research has shown that immigrant communities do not increase the crime rate and that immigrants commit fewer crimes than native born Americans. While the undocumented immigrant population doubled from 1884 to 2005, violent crime dropped by 34%and property crimes decrease 32% (Immigration Policy Center).

For more information on this topic, use the following resources (most links open in PDF):
Study:Immigrants don’t Raise Crime Rates-AZ Daily Star
California Counts: Report on Crime and Corrections
Migration Information Source

Most Immigrants Come to the U.S. Through Legal Means

According to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), 946,142 immigrants were admitted legally to the U.S. in FY 2004. A much smaller number entered the U.S. without permission, it is estimated at about 500,000. This number includes both people who were adjusting their status and new arrivals (U.S. Department of Homeland Security).

For more information on this topic:
United States Citizenship and Immigration Services

Immigrants want to Learn English

The development of English proficiency among non-English speaking immigrants today mirrors that of 19th and 20th century immigration, when masses of Italian, German, and Eastern European immigrants came to America. While first generation, non-English speaking immigrants predictably have lower rates of English proficiency than native speakers, 91% of second generation immigrants are fluent or near fluent English speakers. By the third generation, 97% speak English fluently or near fluently.

To learn more (opens in pdf):
Pew Hispanic Center

Immigrants are Sought by Employers

Given that the number of native-born low wage earners is falling nationally, immigrants are playing an important role in offsetting that decline. The Urban Institute reports that between 2000 and 2005 the total number of low wage workers declined by approximately 1.8 million while the number of unskilled immigrant workers increased by 620,000, thus offsetting the total decline by about a third.

Other sources of information on this topic can be found at:
Washington Post
Immigrant Learning Center

Immigrants are not Likely to use the Social Security and Welfare Systems

Only refugees, asylees, and some legal immigrants are eligible to receive public benefits and even those who are eligible are subject to time limits. Undocumented persons are not eligible for any public benefit program, with the exception of emergency medical assistance and k-12 education.

Multiple studies have shown undocumented immigrants pay $6-7 billion dollars annually in Social Security Taxes alone that they will never be able to claim.

A 2005 study by the National Foundation for American Policy calculated that “over the next 50 years, new legal immigrants along entering the United States will provide a net benefit of $407 billion in present value to America’s Social Security System.

More information on this topic can be found at (opens in PDF):
Immigrant Learning Center
National Immigrant Law Center