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U.S. Immigration Policy Update:
Debunking Myths & Mapping the Way Forward

There is nothing wrong with wanting a secure border. It is an essential function of a country to be able to choose who may enter and remain within its confines, but that is only the first of many layers that make this issue so complex. As the previous blogs explained, the issue also includes who is being allowed into the country, the prioritization of white South African Afrikaners overall other refugee groups, and the revocation of legal protections for people who entered through established humanitarian pathways, forcing many to return to countries that remain unsafe. On top of the uncertainty migrants are already facing, the myths and harsh rhetoric surrounding immigration have only made the situation more hostile. In today's blog, we will debunk a few of these myths, map out the latest developments in immigration policy, and discuss the part we can all play in this fight.

Myths

The two most popular myths are that immigrants are taking American jobs and that immigrants are criminals. Both claims are largely unsupported. The Congressional Budget Office ([link removed]) found that increased immigration can have a minisculeeffect on wage growth for less educated workers, but job competition is strongest among workers with similar skills, including other recent immigrants. Therefore, when job competition occurs, it happens between immigrants, and not between U.S.-born workers and immigrants.

Immigrants are contributing to our economy, not taking from it. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics ([link removed]) found that in 2025, foreign-born workers made up 19.1 percent of the U.S. civilian labor force, representing more than 31 million people. The Congressional Budget Office ([link removed]) also estimated that the immigration increase from 2021 to 2026 would raise federal revenue by roughly $1.2 trillion, reduce federal deficits by about $900 billion, and increase the size of the U.S. economy by $8.9 trillion between 2024 and 2034. The inequality and pay gaps that exist in our country are not caused by the people who are the most financially vulnerable. Immigrants are not to blame for a barely livable minimum wage, expensive healthcare, or rising grocery prices.

Scapegoating is an effective political strategy. Scapegoating a group means characterizing them in a way that makes them easy to fear or hate; hence the criminal immigrant trope and openly xenophobic rhetoric from high level government officials. For example, the Vice President saying Haitian people were eating people's pet dogs ([link removed])in Springfield, Ohio. This xenophobia often goes hand in hand with Islamophobia, especially when immigrants from Muslim majority countries or Muslim political activists are portrayed as threats to American culture and security.All of these claims are, of course, unfounded. The National Institute of Justice ([link removed]) is one of the many institutions that concluded immigrants, including undocumented immigrants, are less likely to commit crimes than U.S.- born Americans.

When you watch our Between Borders series ([link removed]), one of the common threads is that people don't want to leave their countries of origin. In the words ofSomali-British poet Warsan Shire "I want to go home, but home is the mouth of a shark. Home is the barrel of a gun. No one would leave home unless home chased you to the shore."click here to read the rest of this power poem on the migrant/refugee experience.([link removed])

People leave behindsuccessful careers as doctors, lawyers,engineers, teachers. They leave behindfamily homes, friends, and the fruits and vegetables only their homeland grows. Immigration involves a heavy decision to turn your back on everything you know. This is in clear contrast to the prevalent messaging that people are just chasing the American dream, when they are really running from a nightmare.

Threat to Freedom of Speech

James Baldwin once wrote to Angela Davis, "For, if they take you in the morning, they will be coming for us that night." In the wake of increased immigration enforcement, core rights and liberties have come under assault, with freedom of speech at the forefront. As Baldwin suggests, these threats do not only affect immigrants but can ultimately affect citizens as well.

One example is the case of Salah Sarsour ([link removed]). Sarsour is a Palestinian lawful permanent resident whose lawyers argue that he is facing deportation because of his advocacy for Palestine and Palestinian rights. Sarsour is an active part of his community, the president of a Wisconsin mosque, and a father and grandfather. He was detained for over 80 days while facing deportation. A federal judge ordered his release after finding that Sarsour's legal case raised a substantial First Amendment retaliation claim. Release was only the first step. Sarsour still has to defend himself before an immigration court.

Another glaring example is Mohsen Mahdawi ([link removed]), a student at Columbia University and another Palestinian lawful permanent resident who was arrested during his naturalization interview. His lawyers believe that this was largely the result of his pro-Palestinian advocacy. Like Sarsour, a judge released Mahdawi after concluding that his detention raised substantial First Amendment concerns.

Latest Developments

On July 27th, following the Supreme Court ruling allowing the administration to terminate TPS for Haiti and Syria, more than 350,000 people are in danger of deportation.This is the largest de-documentation in history.The administration has made it clear that they intend to deport 1,000 people per month to Haiti with the flights starting two weeks ago.

In April the courts lifted the administration's virtual ban on new asylum applications; that progress has now been undone. On July 27, 2026 USCIS issued a new rule, effective immediately. The new rule means asylum seekers in affirmative proceedings will no longer be interviewedbut will instead be sent directly to animmigration judge. Importantly,immigration judges in some instances can remove individuals without hearing the case ([link removed]). This means many people who have undergone the arduous journey to the borders are then turned away without having the chance to plead their case. At this moment- a few days after the new rule-it is unclear how this will play out, but it appears the goal is to deport as many people as possible, as fast as possible.

What Can You Do

Our immigration chaos is not about a border crisis. The dehumanization, vilification, and outright abuse of families in detention centers are unacceptable, and the scapegoating of immigrants is a cover-up for poorly-conceived policies that make life harder for all working people in the United States. We think it is important to stay informed about the ever-changing policies, and to take action when possible.

Here are some ideas: You can stay informed by reading blogs like this series, news articles from trusted sources, and finding out what is happening in your own community.

This list of resources is not exhaustive but here are a few groups we recommend for staying up to dateon immigration and for taking impactful action. These organizations are run by individuals directly impacted by these issues.

National TPS Alliance ([link removed])
Movement for Justice in El Barrio ([link removed])
Haitian Bridge Alliance ([link removed])
We are Casa([link removed])
Faith in Action ([link removed])

Have more helpful resources?Leave a comment on our blog:

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ATF Comments & Petition Update

We are so grateful for the actions of our community and your networks.

Thank you for taking the time to make public comments to the ATF, signing our petition, and for forwarding to others who are concerned about public safety here in the United States as well stopping the flow of weapons that fuel gang and cartel violence in Haiti, Mexico and throughout the Americas.

We will deliver the full petition to the ATF on Monday.So there is still time to add your signature or make public comments ([link removed]) before August 4th.

We'd also like to thank our co-sponsors for the petition:

Religious of Jesus and Mary ([link removed])
Pax Christi USA ([link removed])
Stop US Arms to Mexico ([link removed])
Haitian Bridge Alliance ([link removed])
Massachusetts Coalition to Prevent Gun Violence ([link removed])
Faith in Action ([link removed])

We have 700 signatures, we are hoping to reach 1,000 by August 2.

Click To Read & Sign the Petition ([link removed])
 

Fifty years, One night:
Impossible Dreams Welcome

Impossible dreams welcome.

50 years ago we began dreaming in a small house in Mt. Ranier, MD about creating a more just and peaceful world. We've been working on that dream ever since. Now we celebrate our journey and look to the work that lies ahead, and we'd love you to be a part of it.

Join us for an evening of memories, music by Son Cosita Seria ([link removed]) and dinner by Emma's Torch ([link removed])

We will honor Guerline Jozef of the Haitian Bridhe Alliance with the innagural Bill Callahan Human Rights Award.

Whether you've been with us since the beginning, or are just finding us, there's a place at the table for you.

RSVP Here ([link removed])

Sponsor Here ([link removed])

 

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