Ten Myths About Immigration—Updated!

The Teaching Tolerance staff of the SPLC has updated their Ten Myths about Immigration to respond to the recent executive orders and proposed legislation to limit immigration and acceptance of refugees, educators and students.   The updated version of their popular “Ten Myths About Immigration” feature reflects current statistics and information so you and your students can dispel harmful stereotypes.

Take a minute to read through the article, learn why the statements are false and think about how to talk to students about the realities behind each myth.

How many of these myths have you heard?

1. Most immigrants are here illegally.
2. It’s easy to enter the country legally. My ancestors did; why can’t immigrants today?
3. Today’s immigrants don’t want to learn English.
4. Immigrants take good jobs from U.S. citizens.
5. “The worst” people from other countries are coming to the United States and bringing crime and violence.
6. Undocumented immigrants don’t pay taxes and burden the national economy.
7. The United States is being overrun by immigrants like never before.
8. We can stop undocumented immigrants coming to the United States by building a wall along the border with Mexico.
9. Banning immigrants and refugees from majority-Muslim countries will protect the United States from terrorists.
10. Refugees are not screened before entering the United States.

We hope that, with these facts at your fingertips, you’ll feel more confident leading constructive conversations about immigration and the role that immigrants play in shaping our history and identity as a country