Debunking myths perpetuated by Donald Trump about undocumented immigrants | Opinion
Since Donald Trump won the 2024 election, immigrant rights groups have been concerned about the fate of undocumented people. This concern has escalated since Trump was inaugurated last month and began announcing various initiatives to intimidate and deport an estimated 12 million undocumented immigrants. They have reason to be concerned, as sweeps by federal agents have already begun in cities such as Chicago and Miami.
We have worked with and on behalf of immigrants for many years and recognize how the current president relies on several long-standing myths when targeting undocumented immigrants.
U.S. foreign policies
One myth is that they are motivated to come for only monetary reasons. In fact, undocumented immigrants often come to the U.S. due to the long-standing effects of U.S. foreign and economic policies. The U.S. has and continues to support coups (in Haiti, for example) and right-wing dictators (El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele, for instance), which has compelled many undocumented immigrants to flee their countries of origin in order to escape political persecution, imprisonment and death.
Others have fled due to economic policies originating in the U.S., such as the North American Free Trade Agreement. After NAFTA was implemented, many Mexican farmers had to compete with large U.S. companies and were unable to make ends meet. The ensuing poverty has driven many to immigrate to the U.S. This is likely to continue if Trump’s plan to implement a 25% tariff on goods from Mexico is implemented.
Economic boon
A second myth is that undocumented immigrants are a drain on the U.S. economy. In fact, undocumented immigrants contribute to the economy by filling critical jobs (for example, in agriculture, construction and hospitality). Also, according to estimates from the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy, undocumented immigrants pay substantial amounts toward the funding of public services and infrastructure through taxes ($95 billion in federal, state and local taxes in 2022, including $25.7 billion in Social Security taxes).
They also receive fewer benefits than U.S.-born people, such as social security benefits, as they are unable to claim them.
Filling undesirable jobs
A third myth is that undocumented immigrants take jobs from U.S-born workers, including Black and Hispanic workers. In fact, undocumented workers most often fill positions that citizens and legal residents — regardless of their racial/ethnic backgrounds — do not want, such as in construction, food processing and agriculture.
Less likely to be violent
A fourth myth is that undocumented immigrants tend to be violent and have criminal tendencies. According to the American Immigration Council, undocumented immigrants are less likely than native-born citizens to be arrested for felony or violent crimes. A number of studies investigating the relationship between crime and immigration have found that undocumented immigrants — regardless of their country of origin, documentation status and number of years of education — are less likely than native-born citizens to be arrested for felony or violent crimes.
The American Immigration Council also reports that recent research has found no relationship between property and violent crime rates and the proportion of residents who are undocumented immigrants; this was true for all states.
Instead of terrifying undocumented immigrants through the threat of deportation and the possible separation of family members, there should be pathways for them to stay. After all, the country needs them. Trump’s policies need to be challenged in the courts, in the streets, in calls to politicians and in elections.
This story was originally published February 8, 2025 at 5:00 AM with the headline "Debunking myths perpetuated by Donald Trump about undocumented immigrants | Opinion."