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Just the Facts

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

IPC telephonic press briefing on the DREAM Act

IPC telephonic press briefing on the DREAM Act with Sen. Richard Durbin (D-Ill.) and Education Experts

Published On: Thu, Oct 30, 2008 | Download File

Immigrants and Crime: Are They Connected? A Century of Research Finds that Crime Rates for Immigrants are Lower than for the Native-Born

Numerous studies by independent researchers and government commissions over the past 100 years repeatedly and consistently have found that immigrants are less likely to commit crimes or be behind bars than the native-born.

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Published On: Sat, Oct 25, 2008 | Download File

Dreams Deferred: The Costs of Ignoring Undocumented Students

The political debate over undocumented immigrants in the United States has largely ignored the plight of undocumented children who, for the most part, have grown up and received much of their primary and secondary education in this country.

Published On: Sat, Oct 18, 2008 | Download File

The DREAM Act of 2007: Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to frequently asked questions about the DREAM Act. The Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors Act (DREAM Act) is bipartisan legislation that provides qualified undocumented students the opportunity to secure legal permanent status. Also, listen to the IPC telephonic press briefing on the DREAM Act with Sen. Richard Durbin (D-Ill.) and Education Experts.

What is the DREAM Act?

The Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors Act (DREAM Act), first introduced in 2001, is bipartisan legislation that provides qualified undocumented students the opportunity to secure legal permanent status.  Those eligible students would only receive permanent status if, over a number of years, they successfully complete several requirements outlined below.  

 Why do we need the DREAM Act?

Unless they were born in the United States, children generally gain their immigration status from their parents.  If their parents are undocumented or in immigration limbo, these children have no mechanism to obtain legal residency.  These young people were brought to the US by their parents, many have spent the majority of their lives in the U.S. and consider themselves to be Americans.  Like their U.S.-born peers, they dream of pursuing a higher education, but they are unable to do so because of the enormous barriers created by their lack of legal status.  The DREAM Act would provide an avenue for these young people to acquire legal status and pursue a college degree.  Providing a path for these motivated students to enhance their education, excel in their chosen field, and fully integrate in the US is a “win-win” for not only these students but society in general.   

Who benefits from the DREAM Act?  What are its requirements? Read more...

Published On: Sat, Oct 18, 2008 | Download File

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.

Published On: Thu, Oct 09, 2008 | Download File

Fewer Job Openings Equals Fewer Immigrants: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.

Published On: Wed, Oct 01, 2008 | Download File

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. 

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Published On: Tue, Sep 16, 2008 | Download File

From Anecdotes to Evidence: 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.

Published On: Wed, Sep 10, 2008 | Download File

Recapture of Unused Immigrant Visas: An Idea Whose Time Has Come

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.

Published On: Tue, Sep 09, 2008 | Download File

Separating Fact from Fiction: Refugees, Immigrants and Public Benefits

Anti-immigrant activists like to stir up anger by distorting the facts with dishonest claims.

Published On: Mon, Sep 08, 2008 | Download File