Immigration Fact Check

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Why Claiming �My Family Came Legally� Is Often a Myth

Many people assume that their family immigrated to the U.S. legally, or did it "the right way." In most cases, this statement does not reflect the fact that the U.S. immigration system was very different when their families arrived, and that their families might not have been allowed to enter had today's laws been in effect. (November 25, 2008)

Latino New American Voters Wield Influence in New States

Latinos weren't the only group that flexed its muscles this past Election Day. New Americans--naturalized citizens and the U.S.-born children of immigrants who were born during the current era of immigration that began in 1965--make up another important demographic group that demonstrated its ability to swing an election. (November 12, 2008)

U.S. Latinos Slammed by Immigration Debate Gone Ugly

A new 2008 National Survey of Latinos by the Pew Hispanic Center reveals disturbing new evidence that Latinos--U.S. citizens as well as legal immigrants and undocumented immigrants--are feeling the effects of the immigration debate gone ugly. Read this fact sheet to find out why, regardless of immigration status, Latinos are feeling anxious and discriminated against amid sanctioned public immigrant-bashing and stepped-up immigration enforcement measures. (October 9, 2008)

Undocumented Immigration Slows Along With the U.S. Economy

According to new estimates from the Pew Hispanic Center, the number of undocumented immigrants in the United States did not increase between 2007 and 2008, and may actually have fallen. These findings should come as no surprise given the current state of the economy. (October 1, 2008)

Record-Breaking Number of Immigrants Seek Integration, U.S. Citizenship

September 17th is Citizenship Day, a day to recognize and celebrate all of the immigrants who have chosen to integrate fully and become U.S. citizens. While some fear that demographic shifts threaten American identity, research and experience have shown that today's immigrants integrate into American society just like generations of immigrants before them. Citizenship Day is a time to celebrate the many immigrants who have taken a step toward full integration and participation in U.S. civic life. (September 16, 2008)

Setting the Record Straight on Immigrants and Crime

Anti-immigrant activists and politicians are fond of relying upon anecdotes to support their oft-repeated claim that immigrants, especially undocumented immigrants, are dangerous criminals. While these kinds of arguments are emotionally powerful, they are intellectually dishonest. Numerous studies by independent researchers and government commissions over the past 100 years have consistently found that immigrants are less likely to commit crimes than the native-born. (September 10, 2008)

Recapture of Unused Immigrant Visas

Critics of H.R. 5882, a bill that would would allow visas that have gone unused due to bureaucratic delays to be "recaptured" and issued to family- or employment-based legal immigrants, claim it will needlesly create new visas. The fact is that "recapturing" lost visas would not authorize any new green cards; it would allow the government to issue green cards that Congress has already authorized. (September 9, 2008)