LETTER: Myths, disinformation drive immigrant deportation wave

To Ozaukee Press:

This massive crackdown by the Trump administration on undocumented immigrants—largely focused on northern cities—is predicated on disinformation that the right wing has promoted for years, sometimes aided by the mainstream media. Consider three of the most persistent claims.

First, that immigrants are a drain on the economy. The right wing routinely characterizes immigration as an “invasion.” Yet at no point in history do invasions consist of people harvesting crops, caring for seniors, cleaning homes or building houses—jobs that many native-born Americans are unwilling to take. Numerous studies show immigrants are a net economic benefit.

Most recently, Stephen Miller reportedly suppressed a government report concluding that immigrants contribute far more to taxes and economic activity than they receive in public services.

Second, the claim that undocumented immigrants are violent criminals. In reality, immigrants commit violent crime at lower rates than the general U.S. population. Sanctuary cities—frequent targets of right-wing attacks—consistently report lower crime rates. One reason is that immigrants are more willing to report crimes when they do not fear arrest or deportation for doing so.

Third, Democrats are against closing the border. Wrong. What they want is a sane policy of providing a path to citizenship. Again, we need these people.

When these myths are considered, it becomes clear that the Department of

Homeland Security—with a budget nine times larger than that of the previous administration—is causing far more disruption than undocumented immigrants ever have.

Keith R. Schmitz

Milwaukee