BUSTING THE MYTHS II.

Over the next few weeks, leading up to the May 1stday 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:

Undocumented Immigrants are Criminals.

Myth Busted:

Immigrants are not detained because they have committed a crime but
because they lack proper immigration documents. This is similar to having
a traffic violation.  However, since 1996 undocumented immigrants can
be detained until their immigration situation is worked out.  They are treated
like criminals and are often jailed with inmates who have committed violent
crimes.

Between 10 and 13 percent of immigrants are seeking asylum or are torture
survivors who fled their home countries to escape further persecution. 
Many others risk the dangers of border crossing to seek employment in order
to send money home to their families.

"Recent research has shown that immigrant communities do not increase the
crime rate and that immigrants commit fewer crimes than native born Americans. 
While the undocumented immigrant population doubled from 1994 to 2005,
violent crime dropped by 34% and property crimes decreased by 32%."

Source:  The Catholic Campaign for Immigration Reform 
http://www.justiceforimmigrants.org

ACTIONS:

   1. Mark your calendars and join in a local/national/ action for immigrant justice,
workers and human rights on May 1st.
   2. Volunteer your time to be a presence at immigration legal proceedings.
   3. Encourage your members of Congress to support the "Secure and Safe
Detention and Asylum Act" http://www.humanrightsfirst.org/asylum/asylum_03.htm
   4. Share this bulletin, 8th Day's statement on Migration
http://8thdaycenter.org/aboutus/Migration.pdf