While Misinformed Opponents of Immigration Stall Reform, Change Begins at the Local Level
While Misinformed Opponents of Immigration Stall Reform, Change Begins at the Local Level
A newly released report by AS/COA presents “compelling statistics and arguments” that show immigrants help to lower crime rates and are a crucial force in city revitalization.
"They're taking our jobs" is a common argument made by opponents of immigration. However, this and many other assumptions about immigrants -- that they negatively impact the labor market, that they cause higher incidences of crime and poverty, that they strain the economy -- are based on logical fallacy. In fact, when put to the test, many arguments against immigration quickly crumble.
Despite this, attempts at comprehensive federal immigration reform under this administration seem futile at best. However, local movements, particularly in New York City, are attempting to change the tide through city- and state-wide programs and reforms, and will hopefully be successful in shifting public opinion on immigration reform.
A report released on Thursday by the Americas Society/ Council on the Americas presents compelling statistics and arguments that demonstrate just the opposite of many assumptions about the negative impact of immigration on U.S. communities and economies. Using New York City as an example, the study and presentation, which featured well-reputed policy analysts, social scientists, business leaders and local government officials, aimed to prove that in fact, immigrants create jobs, present lower crime rates, and are a crucial force in city revitalization.
Beyond the automatic, xenophobic assumption that immigrant neighborhoods are dangerous neighborhoods is the fact that police precincts with the highest immigrant populations report the lowest incidence of crime. For every 1 percent increase in a precinct's population due to immigration, an average of 966 fewer crimes are committed each year....
