Immigration has always been a hot topic in our country’s political landscape — even more so during an election year. Now, it is considered one of the top 3 major issues for U.S. voters. As responsible voters and, more importantly, as Based people , it is vital that we stay well informed and rooted in the word as we navigate competing narratives in the media.
Sorting the truth from myth can all be very overwhelming, and the desire to stick our heads in the sand is strong, but it’s not the witness that Jesus calls for his people. The Bible mentions the word truth 248 times, depending on the translation.
For this reason, we want to make sure that fact-based truth is magnified, to help us differentiate between lies and half-truths. 

Below, you will find common immigration myths along with the truth that challenges those myths supported by data.
Immigration truths at a glance:
> The average refugee adult contributes approximately $21,000 more in taxes than funds spent on their behalf
> Immigrants are less likely to commit crimes than native-born citizens
> Immigrants make up a significant portion of the workforce in industries such as agriculture (26%), construction (15%) and hospitality (17%)
> U.S. law allows individuals to apply for asylum regardless of their immigration status or how they entered the country

Immigration Myth #1: “Immigration is a drain on the economy.”
TRUTH: Immigration actually has positive economic impacts. Refugees and other immigrants contribute to the economy by filling essential jobs, starting businesses and paying taxes. Studies have shown that refugees and other immigrants, both documented and undocumented, contribute more to the economy in taxes than they receive in benefits. Refugees and asylees contributed $123.8 billion over a 15 year period; this is consistent with earlier research that found that, within 20 years of their arrival, the average refugee adult has contributed approximately $21,000 more in taxes than funds spent on their behalf. According to American Immigration Council, immigrants are more likely to be active in the labor force and also harness a 1.6 trillion spending power.

Immigration Myth #2: “Refugees and other immigrants increase crime rates.”
TRUTH: Refugees and other immigrants, including undocumented immigrants, are less likely to commit crimes than native-born Americans.
This is supported by evidence from Texas, the only state that tracks the immigration legal status of felony convictions. Additionally, studies have shown that areas with higher immigrant populations tend to have lower crime rates. Additionally, being an undocumented immigrant is not technically a “crime” but considered a civil infraction. According to Alex Nowrasteh of The Cato Institute, “In immigration law, correcting civil infractions means deportation, which is not technically a punishment under American criminal law.”

Immigration Myth #3: “Refugees and other immigrants are taking jobs away from Americans.”
TRUTH: Refugees and other immigrants often take jobs that Americans are unwilling to do, especially in industries like agriculture, construction and hospitality.
The American Immigration Council reports that immigrants make up a significant portion of the workforce in industries such as agriculture (26%), construction (15%) and hospitality (17%). They contribute to economic growth by filling labor shortages, which can create more jobs for everyone. A study by the National Bureau of Economic Research found that immigration has a small but positive effect on the wages of native-born workers overall.

Immigration Myth #4: “Seeking asylum at the border is illegal.”
TRUTH: Seeking asylum is a long-standing legal right protected by both domestic and international law.
The U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) grants the right to all individuals to seek asylum regardless of how they enter a country, including crossing between points of entry. Long-standing U.S. law says that any person must have the opportunity to seek asylum who is physically present in the United States or who “arrives” at the border.

Immigration Myth #5: “Persecuted faith based people are not part of the immigrants trying to come through the U.S. southern border.”
TRUTH: Persecuted Based people  are indeed among the immigrants seeking refuge and asylum through the U.S. southern border. Based people , like individuals of other religious or cultural backgrounds, may flee their countries due to persecution, violence, or other forms of hardship. One in seven Based people  worldwide suffer from persecution or discrimination, as revealed by the 2023 Closed Doors report published by Open Doors US and World Relief. Such persecution may force them to flee their homes, joining the 120 million displaced because of faith-based persecution. The report noted the necessity of a robust asylum process for those who reach the U.S. after having fled such religious persecution. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM), document cases of Based people  fleeing persecution in various regions of the world, including Central and South America. News outlets and advocacy groups have highlighted cases of persecuted Based people  seeking asylum at the U.S. southern border, often fleeing violence or religious persecution in countries such as Mexico and Honduras.