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Dear John,
Immigrants are good for the economy and our society. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.
As we celebrate the 4th of July this week, it’s a good time to recall that most of us are descendants of immigrants. As Lady Liberty’s inscription reminds us, supporting immigration is what true patriotism is all about.
For centuries, immigrants have been an easy scapegoat. One of the oldest, ugliest lies is to falsely smear immigrants as criminals. It’s just not true. Immigrants, regardless of citizenship status, are 60% less likely to be incarcerated for committing crimes than U.S.-born citizens.
Immigration opponents also claim immigrants are a drain on the economy and on government resources. Rubbish! Immigrants are coming to America to build a better life for themselves and their families in ways that contribute to the American economy.
Immigrants are particularly ambitious and hardworking. They are 80% more likely to start a new business than U.S.-born citizens. Impressively, immigrant-founded businesses comprise 103 companies in last year’s Fortune 500.
In this election year, as we hear relentless, unfounded criticisms of America’s immigrants from candidates who seek to divide us by our differences, it’s important to keep in mind the powerful benefits immigrants bring to our nation. I hope you’ll explore this with me in this week’s video, then share it with friends and family.
The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimates that new immigrants will add about $7 trillion dollars to America’s economy over the next decade, including about $1 trillion in tax revenues that will help shrink, not grow, the deficit. The libertarian Cato Institute found that new immigrants pay $1.38 in taxes for every dollar of benefits they receive.
And of course, one of the most common anti-immigrant claims also isn’t true. Immigrants are not taking away jobs that Americans want. Undocumented immigrants in particular are doing some of the most dangerous, difficult, low-paying, and essential jobs in the country, while the U.S. enjoys record-low unemployment.
What’s more, it will largely be young immigrants who will help keep Social Security strong, as the nation ages and the Baby Boomers move into retirement.
As always, immigrants add immeasurably to the richness of American culture. We should be celebrating them and opening pathways to citizenship. We need immigrants to keep our economy, and our country, vibrant and growing.
Check out our video and celebrate our country’s immigrants! They are not “poisoning the blood of our country.” They’re renewing and restoring it.
Thank you for speaking facts and the truth about immigration!
Robert Reich
Inequality Media
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