BUSTING THE MYTHS I

Over the next few weeks, leading up to the May 1st day of action for immigrant
justice  and human rights, we at 8th Day will be busting a myth that is widely held
regarding immigration issues.  Please forward to your friends, family, community, etc.  

Myth:

In the United States, immigrants steal jobs from American citizens, don't pay taxes,
and are a drain on the economy.

Myth Busted:

    * The percentage of Americans without a high school diploma has fallen from 50%
in the 1960s to 7% today – and immigrants are filling the jobs vacated by increasingly
educated Americans.[i]
   
    * Unemployment in border states has remained below the national average despite
high levels of immigration[ii]

    * Studies show that legalization would likely improve wages for all workers.[iii]

    * Studies show that unauthorized immigrants provide a net gain of $7 billion to the
Social Security system each year.  The Social Security Administration also credits these
workers for paying and additional $520 billion under mismatching Social Security
Numbers.[iv]

    * Reports from several states such as Texas show that unauthorized immigrants
contribute as much as $1.5 billion to state revenues.[v]

ACTIONS

   1. Mark your calendars and join in a local/national/ action for immigrant justice,
workers and human rights on May 1st.
   2. Help support immigrant worker and their struggle with Pizza Hut firings at
 http://imagine2050.newcomm.org/2009/04/07/pizza-hut-discriminates-against-latino-workers/
   3. Share this bulletin, 8th Day's statement on Migration
http://8thdaycenter.org/aboutus/Migration.pdf

________

[i] DanielT. Griswold.  "When Employment LinesCross Borders."  CATO Institute
Center for Trade PolicyStudies.  April 21, 2008.  http://www.freetrade.org/node/866 

[ii] See fn1.

[iii] RaulHinojosa Ojed.  ComprehensiveMigration Policy Reform in North America:
TheKey to Sustainable and Equitable Economic Integration.  Los Angeles, California:
North American Integration and Development Center, School of Policy and
SocialResearch.  UCLA, August: 2000.

[iv]Testimony of Patrick P. O'Carroll Jr., Inspector General of the Social Security
Administration before the U.S. Senate, Committee on Finance regarding"Administrative
Challenges Facing the Social Security Administration.  March 14, 2006.

[v] Carole Keeton Strayhor, TexasComptroller.  Special Report:Undocumented
Immigrants in Texas:A Financial Analysis of the Impact to the State Budget and Economy. 
Austin, TX: December 2006.  p. 1.