If you listen to mainstream media (especially Lou Dobbs), or read the mailings of conservative groups like Gary Jarmin's Christian Coalition (or the 14 other hate groups that inhabit his post office drop), you'd think illegal immigration was the biggest threat facing this country. The myths are myriad. And "everyone" seems to know them.
I'd like to take a quick look at the most common "urban myths" about immigration in this country, and then ask a more serious question: "Where's the push coming to perpetuate this garbage?"
Myth #1: A path to citizenship for the current population of illegal immigrants would hurt our economy.
The fact is that right now, our "visiting workers" can't deposit money here. Nor can they invest in property. They can't save in any way. So the money goes home--some $100 billion a year, mostly pre-tax--and with the help of the federal government.
A federal program designed to help legal immigrant Mexican workers wire their earnings back to families in Mexico also is providing a "fast, safe, and low-cost way" for illegal workers without Social Security cards to funnel money out of the U.S.
Myth #2: Putting these workers into the social security system would hurt our citizens' retirement.
The biggest problem with social security, of course, is demographics. The government (GAO) estimates that every 250,000 young workers added to the system would alleviate 5% of the future problem. (There are many different kinds of estimates and models.) But it's clear that bringing young immigrant workers into the system will help.
Myth #3: Creating a path to citizenship will hurt wages in this country.
Right now, illegal immigrants live in fear. Yes, they accept lower wages and lack rights to even the most basic accomodations. Suppose these workers suddenly got some legal status? The most likely immediate effect would be a rise in union membership along with demands for basic employment rights. This has been recognized by unions.
In February 2000, the Executive Council of the American Federation of Labor — Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) announced that it was changing its historic position. It would now support expanded immigration, lenient enforcement of immigration laws, and the legislative agenda of immigrants.
Myth#4: Legalizing immigrants will cost you money.
They are costing money now! The majority of illegal males in this country have no insurance. When they hit your car, you have no coverage. When they are very ill, they end up in emergency rooms and the cost is distributed to your insurances and your employer.
According to the Census Bureau, since 1989 the population without health insurance has grown by 7.8 million and stood at 41.2 million in 2001. (Figures for 2001 are based on the March 2002 CPS.) This growth has been driven largely by immigration. Immigrants who arrived after 1989 account for 6.9 million or 77 percent of the growth in the uninsured. Moreover, there where nearly 600,000 children born to post-1990 immigrants who lack insurance, meaning that new immigrants and their U.S.-born children accounted for over 95 percent of the growth in the uninsured population. Thus, it is reasonable to say that the nation’s health insurance crisis is being caused by our immigration policy.
Myth #5: The government is enforcing the current immigration laws.
An employer can still enter 000-00-0000 as an employee's social security number and get away with it. Don't even start!
Myth #6: Illegal Immigration is a terrorism risk.
First, the 9/11 hijackers were almost all here legally. Second, drug dealers and terrorists won't be stopped by a wall. They buy Cessnas with pin money.
So why are we building a fence? Who perpetuates the myths? The answer, of course, is "big money."
The banks make money because they wire billions of dollars at outrageous fees.
Agro-industry makes money because the majority of its workers are too terrified to join unions.
The Republicans keep the value of union PACs down.
The medical conglomerates never lose; they are billing someone for many times their costs.
Despite the tone, this isn't a diary about immigration. It's a diary about how we all buy the myths that the money boys sell us. It's also an open question--How do we blow the smoke from the eyes of the average citizen?