Immigration has always been a hot topic in our country’s political landscape — even more so during an election year. Now, it is considered one of the top 3 major issues for U.S. voters. As responsible voters and, more importantly, as Christians, it is vital that we stay well informed and rooted in the word as we navigate competing narratives in the media.
Sorting the truth from myth can all be very overwhelming, and the desire to stick our heads in the sand is strong, but it’s not the witness that Jesus calls for his people. The Bible mentions the word truth 248 times, depending on the translation. In John 14:6, Jesus even refers to himself as “… the way and the truth and the life.” He adds: “No one comes to the Father except through me.” Our pursuit and love for the truth is a direct response to our faith in Jesus.
For this reason, we want to make sure that fact-based truth is magnified, to help us differentiate between lies and half-truths. Below, you will find common immigration myths along with the truth that challenges those myths supported by data.
Immigration truths at a glance:
> The average refugee adult contributes approximately $21,000 more in taxes than funds spent on their behalf
> Immigrants are less likely to commit crimes than native-born citizens
> Immigrants make up a significant portion of the workforce in industries such as agriculture (26%), construction (15%) and hospitality (17%)
> U.S. law allows individuals to apply for asylum regardless of their immigration status or how they entered the country
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Immigration Myth No. 1: “Immigration is a drain on the economy.”
TRUTH: Immigration actually has positive economic impacts. Refugees and other immigrants contribute to the economy by filling essential jobs, starting businesses and paying taxes. Studies have shown that refugees and other immigrants, both documented and undocumented, contribute more to the economy in taxes than they receive in benefits. Refugees and asylees contributed $123.8 billion over a 15 year period; this is consistent with earlier research that found that, within 20 years of their arrival, the average refugee adult has contributed approximately $21,000 more in taxes than funds spent on their behalf. According to American Immigration Council, immigrants are more likely to be active in the labor force and also harness a 1.6 trillion spending power.
Immigration Myth No. 2: “Refugees and other immigrants increase crime rates.”
TRUTH: Refugees and other immigrants, including undocumented immigrants, are less likely to commit crimes than native-born Americans.
This is supported by evidence from Texas, the only state that tracks the immigration legal status of felony convictions. Additionally, studies have shown that areas with higher immigrant populations tend to have lower crime rates. Additionally, being an undocumented immigrant is not technically a “crime” but considered a civil infraction. According to Alex Nowrasteh of The Cato Institute, “In immigration law, correcting civil infractions means deportation, which is not technically a punishment under American criminal law. To be clear, there are immigration offenses that are technically crimes and that are punished with short jail terms, but being an [illegal] immigrant present in the United States is not one of them.”
Immigration Myth No. 3: “Refugees and other immigrants are taking jobs away from Americans.”
TRUTH: Refugees and other immigrants often take jobs that Americans are unwilling to do, especially in industries like agriculture, construction and hospitality.
The American Immigration Council reports that immigrants make up a significant portion of the workforce in industries such as agriculture (26%), construction (15%) and hospitality (17%). They contribute to economic growth by filling labor shortages, which can create more jobs for everyone. A study by the National Bureau of Economic Research found that immigration has a small but positive effect on the wages of native-born workers overall.
Immigration Myth No. 4: “Seek asylum at the border is illegal.”
TRUTH: Seeking asylum is a long-standing legal right protected by both domestic and international law.
The U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) grants the right to all individuals to seek asylum regardless of how they enter a country, including crossing between points of entry. Long-standing U.S. law says that any person must have the opportunity to seek asylum who is physically present in the United States or who “arrives” at the border.
Immigration Myth No. 5: “Persecuted Christians are not part of the immigrants trying to come through the U.S. southern border.”
TRUTH: Persecuted Christians are indeed among the immigrants seeking refuge and asylum through the U.S. southern border.
Christians, like individuals of other religious or cultural backgrounds, may flee their countries due to persecution, violence, or other forms of hardship. One in seven Christians worldwide suffer from persecution or discrimination, as revealed by the 2023 Closed Doors report published by Open Doors US and World Relief. Such persecution may force them to flee their homes, joining the 120 displaced because of faith-based persecution. The report noted the necessity of a robust asylum process for those who reach the U.S. after having fled such religious persecution. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM), document cases of Christians fleeing persecution in various regions of the world, including Central and South America. News outlets and advocacy groups have highlighted cases of persecuted Christians seeking asylum at the U.S. southern border, often fleeing violence or religious persecution in countries such as Mexico and Honduras.
A Prayer for Truth
Staying informed is just the beginning. While it is essential to equip our minds, it’s just as important to minister to our hearts through the direction of the Spirit. For this reason, we invite you to pray this prayer to continue to align your heart with God’s desire for the world.
Father God, you are a God of justice and truth. Your love for each and every one of us transcends borders, policies and misinformation. All of us are made in your image and we pray for this truth to be the strongest reminder in our hearts as we engage in a season that can stretch our understanding. This is why we lean wholeheartedly on Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” In our pursuit of the truth, guide and direct us so that we are genuinely transformed to live out a bold love for our neighbor, the foreigner and the sojourner.
When we learn the truth, like our friend Rodney, we can’t help but see our refugee and immigrant neighbors like God sees them. It is then that we are compelled to use our influence to speak up and advocate for true and lasting change. Will you join us in advocating for our neighbors and save lives?
Jessica Galván is a Content Writer at World Relief. She is passionate about storytelling and amplifying diverse voices to reveal the beauty of God’s creation. She is also the Editorial Director for Chasing Justice and prior to World Relief, she was a freelance writer and editor for a variety of clients in publishing, most recently Penguin Random House. When she isn’t wordsmithing for the pursuit of faith and justice, she is spending time with her husband and their 3 children in the Houston, TX area.