Immigrants in America Plus or Minus?

To the Editor:

Too often in this paper there is vitriol and hatred expressed towards undocumented immigrants that is driven by fear rather than facts. Here are the facts.

1. The truth: Undocumented immigrants give more to the United States than they receive. They pay billions each year in federal, state, and local taxes—through income, property, and sales taxes—even though most are ineligible for public benefits such as Social Security, Medicaid, or federal welfare. Their hard work supports key industries, from agriculture and construction to caregiving and hospitality, frequently filling jobs no one else will do. Think about picking fruits and vegetables in extreme weather for low pay with no paid medical care, sick leave or Social Security. Who do you know that will pick your lettuce or the cantaloupe you had for breakfast under these conditions?

2. The truth: Despite the lies spouted constantly by state and national government officials, there is no credible evidence that undocumented immigrants vote illegally in U.S. elections. Multiple studies and bipartisan investigations have confirmed that illegal voting by noncitizens is extremely rare and not a factor in election outcomes (Bipartisan Policy Center). Because of this unfounded phobia all voters are burdened with the unnecessary work of finding birth, marriage and divorce paperwork to prove we are voting as legal citizens. We have already proved our citizenship when we registered to vote (National Voter Registration Act 1996).

3. The truth: According to reliable sources, the FBI and the Cato Institute and fact checked by Reuters and the Washington Post, undocumented immigrants do not commit violent crimes at higher rates than native-born Americans. (see www.americalimmigrationcouncil. org/ about-immigration). The evidence is quite clear. Look it up.

4. The truth: Immigration policy is not controlled by the president alone. The U.S. Constitution divides power among three branches: Congress writes immigration laws, the executive branch enforces them, and the courts interpret them. Effective immigration reform requires cooperation among all three—not executive orders alone.

So I ask you to look at the facts. On balance treating immigrants humanely and with dignity benefits all of us. They provide a great deal to our country in labor and taxes. Most want to live peaceful and productive lives here with low violent crime rates. Yes, we need to modernize our immigration laws to the benefit of the immigrants themselves and our country.

Judy Balch La Grange