Don't believe myths about immigrants

By Maura I. Toro-Morn, director of the Latin American and Latino Studies Program, College of Arts and Sciences, Illinois State University

Pantagraph.com: The time has come to put to rest the damaging anti-immigrant myths voiced in recent letters to the editor.

Myth 1: ``Illegal aliens take jobs from American workers.''

Economist Giovanni Peri, University of California, Davis, reports that in California - the state with the largest proportion of immigrants - there is no evidence that the inflow of immigrants has worsened employment opportunities for native workers with the same education and experience. Why? Partly because immigrants do not compete with native workers for the same jobs.

Myth 2: ``Illegal immigrants do not pay taxes.''

The National Immigration Forum has estimated that in any given year U.S. immigrants pay $90 billion to $140 billion in federal, state and local taxes. All immigrants, even those who are undocumented, pay sales taxes as consumers.

Myth 3: ``Illegal immigrants do not assimilate.''

American culture today is a pastiche of practices, foods and traditions from other parts of the world. If assimilation is defined as leaving one's culture and identity behind, then no immigrant group that has set foot in this country has completely assimilated.

However, if assimilation is defined as meaningful incorporation in our communities - by working, voting and raising our families - then immigrants have clearly assimilated in the U.S. and in Bloomington-Normal.

I encourage Pantagraph readers to take a look at our community and see that Latinos and other immigrants are contributing to American society in the most meaningful way possible, by raising families, paying taxes and building community with others.

In the true spirit of American history, give recent immigrants and their children - many of whom are American citizens by birth - a chance to begin the journey toward meaningful incorporation by throwing away old stereotypes and prejudices that are counterproductive and damaging to us all!