Just the Facts

Immigration Fact Checks provide up-to-date information on the most current issues involving immigration today.

The Impact of SB 1070: Usurping the Federal Government’s Ability to Set Enforcement Priorities

What proponents of laws like Arizona’s SB 1070 fail to understand is that state and local enforcement of immigration law actually jeopardizes the federal government’s ability to set priorities for immigration enforcement. SB 1070 would divert scarce federal resources away from finding dangerous criminals throughout the United States, focusing instead on detaining and deporting non-violent immigrants in one state: Arizona.

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Published On: Thu, Jul 22, 2010 | Download File

The DREAM Act

Creating Opportunities for Immigrant Students and Supporting the U.S. Economy

FACT CHECK HIGHLIGHTS:

What Would the DREAM Act Do?
Who Would Benefit from the DREAM Act?
What are the Economic Benefits of the DREAM Act?
What are the Additional Benefits of the DREAM Act?
The DREAM Act in Congress
Why has the DREAM Act Failed to Become Law?
Who Supports the DREAM Act?
DREAMs Coming True in the States
Conclusion

Each year, approximately 65,000 undocumented students graduate from high school, many at the top of their classes, but cannot go to college, join the military, work, or otherwise pursue their dreams. They belong to the 1.5 generation—any (first generation) immigrants brought to the United States at a young age who were largely raised in this country and therefore share much in common with second generation Americans. These students are culturally American, growing up here and often having little attachment to their country of birth. They tend to be bicultural and fluent in English. Many don’t even know that they are undocumented immigrants until they apply for a driver’s license or college, and then learn they lack Social Security numbers and other necessary legal documents.

According to Professor Roberto Gonzalez of the University of Washington:Read more...

Published On: Tue, Jul 13, 2010 | Download File

The Economic and Political Power of Immigrants, Latinos, and Asians in all 50 States

Immigrants, Latinos, and Asians account for large and growing shares of the U.S. economy and electorate. Overall, immigrants made up more than 12% of the U.S. population (or nearly 38 million people) in 2008, and more than 43% of them are naturalized U.S. citizens meaning they are eligible to vote. “New Americans”—immigrants and the children of immigrants—accounted for more than 8.6% (or 11.7 million people) of all registered U.S. voters in 2006. In 2008, Latinos and Asians accounted for nearly 20% of all Americans (or more than 60 million people) and wielded $1.5 trillion in consumer purchasing power. The businesses they own had sales and receipts of $549 billion and employed 3.7 million people at last count. Immigrant, Latino, and Asian workers and entrepreneurs are integral to the U.S. economy and tax base—and they are an electoral force with which every politician must reckon. Read more...

Published On: Fri, Jul 09, 2010 | Download File