www.masbakersfield.com

I know its been a little while since my last INFORMATIVE DISCOURSE—I refuse to call them blogs—but I have recently read in the discussion forum comments regarding illegal immigration.  (Sigh) I use to not really care when people from other cities implied that Bakersfield harbors an ignorant lot, however, I have read various articles by Bakersfield residents in public forums, such as Mas, Myspace, etc…, and much of it seems to imply that illegal immigration is causing hardships on their lives.  So, I thought I liked to share with you a little piece I constructed while interning with a Latino civil rights non-profit org in DC:

 MISSLEADING IMMIGRATION DISCOURSE

Discourse condemning immigrants has circulated among Americans for centuries.  The media has assigned various immigrant groups the blame for the U.S.’s turmoil since the country’s inception.  During the early 18^th century, Americans feared the influx of German immigrants would eventually replace English with German as the national language. Sound familiar?  At the turn of the century, anti-immigrant groups claimed Jewish immigrants would not assimilate into American society and create a Jewish state within the U.S.  After the stock market crash of 1929, Latino immigrants have consistently been targeted for attack by the media.  Currently, the daily propagation of ill-founded anti-immigrant discourse by individuals such as Lou Dobbs has severely blurred the line between fact and truth.  Americans have come to fear Latino immigrants as if all were el cucuy (the boogie man).  Thus, the purpose of this text is to clear up common misconceptions about human begins who have long been productive facets to the fabric of American society.         

Why do they come here?

A common misconception among citizens is that immigrants’ sole objective is to exploit U.S. social services.  A study published by University of California, Los Angeles Center for Health Policy Research, which was conducted in four cities in the southwest (Los Angeles, Fresno (CA), Houston and El Paso), concluded that less than 1% of those undocumented immigrants interviewed for the study migrated to America for reasons other than health services.  The top reason for relocating to the U.S. was employment, Family reunification was second, and education was third. 

Use of hospital services

A 2007 study reveals that undocumented Mexican immigrants had 1.6 fewer visits with a physician than U.S.-born Mexicans.  Other undocumented Latino immigrant groups had 2.1 fewer visits with physicians than their U.S.-born counter parts.  Furthermore, a study by UCLA found that undocumented immigrants are 50% less likely than U.S.-born Latinos to use the emergency room.

Immigrants will make Spanish the official language of the U.S.

Among Latino immigrants, the percentage of individuals who have a high fluency in English is small; however, according to a study by The Pew Hispanic Center, second generation Latinos (children of immigrants) have a higher fluency in English and a lower fluency in Spanish.  The study illustrates that only 7% of second generation Latinos are Spanish dominant speakers, 47% are bilingual and 46% are English dominant speakers.  Third generation Latinos have a higher number of English-only speakers with 78%, 22% are bilingual and none are Spanish only speakers.  Thus, in light of the number, it seems that English shall remain the dominant language in the U.S. despite the influx of Spanish-speaking immigrants.

Immigrants are taking away jobs from African-Americans

A disturbing tactic that has been implemented in recent years by anti-immigrant groups is pitting immigrants and African-American communities against each other.  Fear of immigrants stealing jobs from Americans has been apart of the American consciousness since the great depression.  Various anti-immigrant groups have claimed that immigrants are stealing jobs away from African-Americans.  Conveniently, many of these claims are disseminated during election times, or when the country’s economy is in a recession.  During the campaign to pass Proposition 187 in 1994, similar claims were made.   It was claimed that all American citizens being robbed of their jobs. As years passed, these earlier claims, which were ill-supported, were eventually abandoned when proved ineffective in swaying American voters. 

The current claim regarding the African-American community is a last-ditch effort in revitalizing the bogus notion that immigrants steal jobs from Americans.  Economist, such as David Card and Maria E. Enchautegui, conducted studies which proved African-Americans are not negatively affected on a national and state level.  In regions with a high level of immigration, African-Americans unemployment rate is just as stagnate as  regions with a low concentration of immigrants.  However, in areas with a declining economy, less-skilled African-American workers are likely to be negatively affected.  Nevertheless, the constant finger pointing takes attention away from the disparities that have plagued the African-American community since the reconstruction era.  The unemployment rate among African-Americans is not attributed to the influx of immigrants, but has roots in issues such as inadequate education and discrimination, which relegate African-Americans to low-wage jobs.

Immigrants increase crime and pose a threat to public safety

An issue of great concern among citizens involves the correlation between crime and immigration.  In recent years the fear of violent criminals entering the country illegally has permeated the media and the minds of Americans.  However, a study by The Public Policy Institute in California shows that U.S.-born males have an institutionalized rate 10 times higher than immigrant males (4.2% vs. 0.42%).  Moreover, the study shows crime in certain Californian cities actually decreases with the influx of immigrants.

The border town of El Paso, Texas has been home to a large undocumented population for decades.   For the past seven years, El Paso has been among one of the top three safest cities in America according to Morgan Quitno Press.  Nevertheless, anti-immigrant groups tend to promote statistics that show an increase of criminal activities among immigrants, but those statistics are founded on immigrants who committed crimes such as entering the country illegally or working with out a valid worker visa.  Entering the country and working illegally are not a direct threat to public safety as some statistics may indicate.

Immigrants drain economy

An issue that has immense implications to every citizen in the U.S. is the state of the economy.  If the economy weakens, Americans lose jobs.  It has long been feared that immigrants drain and weakened the economy.  Anti-immigrant groups continuously spread the notion that immigrants generate a higher cost than revenue.  Conversely, not only do immigrants contribute to the culturally diverse social framework of the U.S., but they also contribute fiscally.  A study by the State comptroller of Texas concluded the fiscal impact of undocumented immigrants to the Texas economy in 2006 was positive grossing $17.7 billion for the state of Texas.  The state of Texas has the second largest undocumented immigrant population with 1.4 million.

Immigrants are not patriotic

The CNA Corporation conducted a study which found that each year 8,000 “non-citizens” (immigrants) enlist in the armed services.  In 2006, Over 29,000 immigrants were actively serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.  Sadly, some of those soldiers lost their lives serving America.  Moreover, Latinos, many who were raised by immigrant parents, have been awarded the most Purple Heart Medals.  Of those soldiers awarded the Medal of Honor award, 21% were immigrants.  Latino’s contribution to the sovereignty of U.S. dates back to the American Revolution.  Spanish and Latinos supplied the Continental army with much needed materials in their campaign against the British.  

Immigrants don’t assimilate

Immigrant assimilation has been a concern of Americans since the 18^th century.  The assimilation of Germans, Asian and Jewish immigrant groups where subjected to criticism.  The criticism led to the passing of failed assimilation laws.  Currently, assimilation laws are being introduced for ratification.  These laws are in the form of English only laws aimed at Latino immigrants.  As mentioned already, Latino immigrants adopt English and tend to abandon the Spanish language as generation progress.  Moreover, a recent study by the Manhattan Institute discovered that despite a higher migration rate immigrants are culturally assimilating more rapidly than before.             

“Enforcement-only laws” will stop immigration

 Enforcement-only laws do nothing to address the influx of immigrants.  Strengthening international relations is would address immigration more effectively rather than implementing these laws.  Enforcement-only laws would only automatically make hard-working productive individuals felons.  It would ultimately give police authorities the right to racial profile.  But, the most important damaging effect is the cost burdened by citizens to support these initiatives.  For example, the propose fence not only will it cause harm to the environment, but it will raise a significant cost for citizens.  Funding for policy to enforce these laws will also produce a financial strain.  It is in America’s financial best interest for these laws not to come into fruition.  It is also in humanity’s best interest.          

Sources:

www.ailf.org (American Immigration Law Foundation)

Butche, Kristin f.; Morrison, Anne. Crime, Corrections, and California: What does Immigration have to do with it?  Public Policy Institute in California, California Counts: population trends and profiles Vol. 9 number 3, February

Enchautegui, Maria E. Effects of Immigration On Wages and Joblessness: Evidence from Thirty Demographic Groups. Urban Institute. 1995

Hattiangadi, Anita U; Quester, Aline O; Lee Gary; SgtMaj, USMC (Ret.); Lien, Diana S.; MacLeod, Ian D.; Reese, David L.; Shuford, Robert W. Non-Citizens in Today’s Military: Final Report. April 2005

www.MorganQuitno.com

www.pewhispanic.org

Strayhorn, Carole Keeton. Undocumented Immigrants in Texas: A Financial Analysis of the Impact to the State Budget and Economy. The office of the Comptroller of the State of Texas. December 2006.

Ortega, Alexander N., PhD; Fang, Hai, PhD; Perez, Victor, MD; Risso, John, PhD; Carter-Pokras, Olivia, PhD; Wallace, Steven P., PhD, Gelberg, Lilian, MD. Health Care Access, Use of Services, and Experiences Among Undocumented Mexicans and Other Latinos. Archives of Internal Medicine. Vol. 167 No. 21, November 26, 2007

Vigdor, Jacob L. Measuring Immigrant Assimilation in the United States. Manhattan Institute. 2008

Yang JS and Wallace SP.  Expansion of Health Insurance in California Unlikely to Act as Magnet For Undocumented Immigration.  Los Angeles: UCLA Center For Health Policy Research 2007