BUSTING IMMIGRATION MYTHS III
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

All immigrants who come to the United States in recent years are from
Mexico.

Myth Busted

According to U.S. immigration statistics, the largest number of immigrants
becoming naturalized citizens in 2005 was from Mexico (77,089 new U.S.
citizens out of a total of 604,280). To say that most recent immigrants
were from Mexico is not taking into account the whole face of immigration.
For example, in 2005 at total of 36,671 people born in the Philippines
became naturalized U.S. citizens.  From Vietnam, there were a total of
32,926 people and from China, a total of31,708.   Immigration patterns
are far more complex than simply saying all immigrants come from Mexico.

In the case of the undocumented, it is difficult to get statistics for obvious
reasons.  There are, however, large numbers who do indeed come from
Mexico, but there are also people who migrate from Central America.
Before the strengthening of the economy in Ireland, there were substantial
numbers of undocumented persons from there.  The point here is that
immigrants do indeed come from all parts of the world.

ACTIONS

   1. Visit the website for the Center of Immigration Studies to find out
more information on immigration trends and education on the topic of
immigration: http://www.cis.org
   2. Mark your calendars and join in a local/national/ action for immigrant
justice, workers and human rights on May 1st.
   3. Encourage your representative and the President Obama to take action
on immigration reform as we mark the first 100 Days of the Obama
Administration.
   4. Visit the 8th Day Centers website to find out more information on 8th
Day's declaration of sanctuary: http://8thdaycenter.org/aboutus/Migration.pdf