Five Myths About Immigration
There are five myths about immigration. David Cole, the author of “Five Myths About Immigration,” explains thoroughly what the five common myths are regarding immigrants entering the United States. Immigrants are overrunning America, taking the jobs that are available, and draining the country’s resources. Also, the immigrants are allegedly taking away the American cultural and political unity, and they are not entitled to constitutional rights. Cole has a good tone throughout the article and lets his readers know that these myths are not true.
Cole explains that most of the nation’s population originally was immigrants. Since 1990, only eight percent of the population is immigrants. Of this eight percent, most of them are refugees or related to American citizens. The majority of the immigrants are not here illegally. Instead, they stay longer than their student or visitor visas allow. Thus, they cannot be taking the jobs. In fact, they are creating more jobs. Between 1970 and 1980, Mexican immigrants were responsible for 78,000 new jobs in the Los Angeles County. They are also responsible for 40,000 companies and $3.5 billion annually to New York’s economy (156).
Cole continues to say that the nation’s economy benefits from the immigrants staying here. They pay more in taxes than what they receive in services. Illegal immigrants are ineligible for most social programs. However, they are eligible for such services as education for school age children and emergency medical care. They are also eligible for nutritional services to poor women, children, and infants, otherwise known as W.I.C. Failing to provide these basic services is considered inhumane. It will also eventually cause the immigrants to have health problems that we shall have to address (157).
Cole goes on to say that the immigrants do not have as many rights as the citizens do. Immigrants living in America need to have the same rights as the citizens. The only rights that they do not have are to hold a government position or the right to vote in an election. They do not have the right to express themselves freely as the citizens can. If they do express themselves freely, they are deported to their birth country. Cole says that we shall be judged by how we treat others, especially the immigrants (157).
Cole uses a variety of sources to acquire accurate statistics. He uses information from a report from the A.C.L.U. (American Civil Liberties Union) Immigrants Rights Project. He gives quotes from reports from the Urban Institute and the Council of Economic Advisers. He quotes a phrase from Supreme Court Justice Stephen Field made in 1884. Even though the information that he uses is old, it is still valid (156,157).
David Cole starts his article with an example of the “Know-Nothings.” They are now known as the Native Americans. He goes on to tell of the immigrants coming from Ireland during the potato famine to New York and Massachusetts. During the 1860s very poor Catholics arrived in this country as immigrants. The best example that he uses was when he describes that we are a nation of immigrants. All are good examples to prove that the citizens of the United States had ancestors who were immigrants (155,156). The article is unclear as to how many of the 78,000 jobs in the Los Angeles County were held by illegal immigrants. It was also unclear with the 40,000 jobs in New York. Cole has defended the immigrants and their right in living in the states. He has done research on the topic and is sending out the word that what you hear is not always true. His research has helped clarify that the myths are not true.
In conclusion, this article has made the myths clearer to the reader and to me. I am an immigrant living and working in the United States legally. As long as I am here, I must abide by the Constitution just like the citizens do. These myths that are mentioned in the article, I have personally come across. For example, the immigrants do not take the jobs away. In order for an immigrant to come to this country, one needs a job before applying for a work visa. Usually, an immigrant takes a job that the citizens do not want--a low paying job. After reading the article, it is easier to understand how these myths came about and why they are not true. As long as immigrants enter into this country, these myths will likely exist.
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