The role of immigrants, regardless of legal status, in bolstering the U.S. economy, enhancing communities, and contributing to the workforce is supported by data-driven research. Immigrants, through paying substantial amounts in taxes, supporting important programs like Social Security, and fostering innovation, care work, and small business development, play a crucial role in the fabric of American society. Policies that target immigrants for removal can lead to significant negative consequences, such as family separation, disruptions in local economies, and instability in communities.
It is noteworthy that a majority of Americans endorse inclusive immigration policies, advocating for pathways to citizenship and emphasizing the importance of dignity, opportunity, and fairness in shaping our shared future. Understanding these key points about immigration is essential for every American:
- Undocumented immigrant arrivals to the U.S. have declined significantly since 2023, contradicting claims about high rates of undocumented immigration and challenging declarations of a national emergency at the U.S.-Mexico border.
- A growing proportion of “undocumented” immigrants entered through legal channels and are awaiting decisions on their visa applications.
- Sixty-six percent of undocumented immigrants have resided in the U.S. for over a decade, highlighting their deep roots in American communities and emphasizing the destabilizing effects of mass deportations on families, labor markets, and local economies.
- Mass deportations would have devastating economic repercussions at various levels, including for Medicare and Social Security, as demonstrated by estimates from the American Immigration Council.
- Immigration is connected to lower crime rates in communities, with immigrants being less likely to engage in criminal activities compared to native-born citizens.
- Immigrants utilize public benefits and government assistance programs at lower rates than native-born citizens, and undocumented immigrants are largely ineligible for federal safety net programs.
- The overwhelming majority of Americans recognize the essential economic role immigrants play, support pathways to citizenship, and oppose mass deportations, as revealed in a 2024 Pew Research Study.
In essence, data and research findings offer valuable insights for ongoing discussions about immigration. They underscore the importance of immigration reform that includes a pathway to citizenship, caution against the detrimental effects of mass deportations, and highlight the complex relationship between immigration, crime rates, and welfare spending. With a declining trend in undocumented migration since late 2023, it is crucial for all Americans to be informed about the significant contributions immigrants make to the United States.