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With so much attention given to the issue of undocumented immigrants, it’s easy to overlook the fact that most of the foreign-born living in the United States have followed the rules and have permission to be here. Of the more than 31 million foreign-born people living in the United States in 2009, about 20 million are either citizens or legal residents. Of those who do not have authorization to be here, about 45 percent entered the country legally and then let their papers expire.

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When did your ancestors immigrate? Do you know what the entry requirements were at the time? For about the first 100 years, the United States had an “open immigration system that allowed any able-bodied im- migrant in,” according to New York University immigration historian David Reimers. The biggest obstacle would-be immigrants faced was getting here. Today there are many rules about who may enter the country and stay legally. Under current policy, many immigrants who came to this country between 1790 and 1924 would not be allowed in today.

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Do you know the rules to enter the country legally and stay here to work? The simple answer is that there is no “line” for most very poor people with few skills to stand in and gain permanent U.S. residency. Generally, gaining permission to live and work in the United States is limited to people who are: 1) highly trained in a skill that is in short supply here; 2) escaping political persecution; or 3) joining close family already here.

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How long did it take your ancestors to stop using their first language? “Earlier immigrant groups held onto their cultures fiercely,” notes Reimers. “When the United States entered the First World War [in 1917], there were over 700 German-language newspapers. Yet, German immigration had peaked in the 1870s.”

While today’s immigrants may speak their first language at home, two-thirds of those older than 5 speak English “well” or “very well” according to research by the independent, non-partisan Migration Policy Institute. And the demand for adult ESL instruction in the United States far outstrips available classes.

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What does it mean to blend into American society? In 2010, about 500,000 immigrants became naturalized citizens. They had to overcome obstacles like getting here, finding a job, overcoming language barriers, paying naturalization fees, dealing with a bureaucracy and taking a written citizenship test. This is not the behavior of people who take becoming an American lightly.

The reality is that the typical pattern of assimilation in the United States has remained steady, says Reimers. “The first generation struggled with English and didn’t learn it. The second was bilingual. And the third can’t talk to their grandparents.” If anything, the speed of assimilation is faster today than at any time in our past, mainly because of public education and mass media.

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According to the Immigration Policy Center, a non-partisan group, research indicates there is little connection between immigrant labor and unemployment rates of native-born workers. Here in the United States, two trends—better education and an aging population—have resulted in a decrease in the number of Americans willing or available to take low-paying jobs. Between 2000 and 2005, the supply of low-skilled American workers slipped by 1.8 million.

To fill the void, employers often hire immigrant workers. One of the consequences, unfortunately, is that it is easier for unscrupulous employers to exploit this labor source and pay immigrants less, not provide benefits, and ignore worker-safety laws. On an economic level, Americans benefit from relatively low prices on food and other goods produced by undocumented immigrant labor.

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Nationally, since 1994, the violent crime rate has declined 34 percent and the property crime rate has fallen 26 percent, even as the number of undocumented immigrants has doubled. According to the conservative Americas Majority Foundation, crime rates from 1999–2006 were lowest in states with the highest immigration growth rates. During that period the total crime rate fell 14 percent in the 19 top immigration states, compared to only 7 percent in the other 31. Truth is, foreign-born people in America—whether they are naturalized citizens, permanent resident or undocumented—are incarcerated at a much lower rate than native-born Americans, according to the National Institute of Corrections.

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Undocumented immigrants pay taxes every time they buy gas, clothes, or new appliances. They also contribute to property taxes—a main source of school funding—if they buy or rent a house, or rent an apartment. The Social Security Administration estimates that half to three-quarters of undocumented immigrants pay federal, state and local taxes, including $6 billion to $7 billion in Social Security taxes for benefits they will never get. They can receive emergency medical care and schooling, but not welfare or food stamps.

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As a percentage of the U.S. population, the historic high actually came in 1900, when the foreign-born constituted nearly 20% of the population. Today, about 12% of the population is foreign-born. Since the start of the recession in 2008, the number of undocumented immigrants coming into the country has actually dropped. Many people also accuse immigrants of having “anchor babies” who allow the whole family to stay. According to the U.S. Constitution, a child born on U.S. soil is automatically an American citizen. But immigration judges will not keep immigrant parents in the U.S. just because their children are U.S. citizens. Between 1998 and 2007, the federal government deported about 108,000 foreign-born parents whose children had been born here. These children must wait until they are 21 before they can petition the government to allow their parents to join them in the U.S. That process is long and difficult. In reality, there is no such thing as an “anchor baby.”

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Is someone who jaywalks or who doesn’t feed a parking meter a criminal? Only very serious misbehavior is generally considered “criminal” in our legal system. Violations of less serious laws are usually “civil” matters and are tried in civil courts. People accused of crimes are tried in criminal courts and can be imprisoned. Federal immigration law says that unlawful presence in the country is a civil offense and is, therefore, not a crime. The punishment is deportation.

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With your breakout group, "travel" to EACH of the following Immigration MythBusters Stations (COLUMNS). Read the information, and discuss in your small group. Consider what the information teaches you about immigration. It can be something that you learned in your head or your heart--or both. Then discuss:

Where you think this myth comes from?

Who benefits from this myth?

Finally, together, choose one of the myths to add a POST.
One person will post for the team. Include your block and team members. Your posts should include something that reading the myth buster information taught you and your ideas about the root cause of the myth and who benefits.
Use the POST below as an example.

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EXAMPLE POST! YOU MAY USE IT AS A TEMPLATE!     E Block--Scout, Jem, and Dill

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EXAMPLE POST! YOU MAY USE IT AS A TEMPLATE!     E Block--Scout, Jem, and Dill

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When we discuss the fact that _____________________, it reminded us to /made us think about/ turned on a lightbulb and had us connect it to/(choose one of these, or come up with one of your own) because...

The more we considered why people are willing to believe this myth, or single story, about immigrants we decided/realized/ (choose one of these, or use your own verb), that this idea may come from. . . . We also think that _____________ benefits from this myth because. . ..

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C Block-- Collier, Anna Catherine, Kathya, and Collin

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C Block-- Collier, Anna Catherine, Kathya, and Collin

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There is proof that most immigrants entering the United States actually are documented and legal. And of those legal, 45% of them have papers that have expired. To conclude, there is proof that most immigrants have the right to enter the United States of America.

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C block-- Collier, Anna Catherine, Kathya, and Collin

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C block-- Collier, Anna Catherine, Kathya, and Collin

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The myth is proved not to be true because the people who immigrated into the country between 1790 and 1924 wouldn't be allowed in today. This is the case because the rules to come into the country are more strict. The myth came from people who believe that everyone in the United Sates should be legal.

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This myth comes from lawmakers who don't want to make new laws to allow immigrants to enter the USA easier. This benefits them, because their beliefs are being protected.

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The myth comes from the people of the United States that are against immigration. We know the myth is wrong because only 12% of the population is foreign- born. Immigrant families benefit from this myth.

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This myth comes from racist people, and it creates a stereotype to make all immigrants seem illegal so that more people dislike them. This benefits the racist people because their idea gets out and they can influence more people to think like them, making their opinion stronger and louder.

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E block-- Mary Anna, KaNiya, Teddy, and Eva

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E block-- Mary Anna, KaNiya, Teddy, and Eva

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When talking about the first myth we think that this is talking about how people are only talking about the few people that are undocumented and instead of saying the correct terminology "undocumented" they say "illegal". People benefit from this myth because they are placing blame on others who are easy to target.

When we discuss the last myth we said that people are falsely putting names on these people who have committed civil offenses- not ones worthy of being called criminals for. Just because you enter in a country undocumented does not make you a criminal. They are simply looking for freedom. People benefit from this myth because they might not want their job opportunities taken so they falsely accuse people to secure their job. This is wrong because jobs can be created everywhere and when people immigrate to new countries they are looking for job opportunities.

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E block-- Eva, Teddy, Mary Anna, and KaNiya

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E block-- Eva, Teddy, Mary Anna, and KaNiya

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When talking about the first myth we think that this is talking about how people talk about the few people that are undocumented and instead of saying the correct terminology "undocumented" they say "illegal". People benefit from this myth because they are placing blame on others who are easy to target.

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When we discuss the last myth we said that people are falsely putting names on these people who have committed civil offenses- not ones worthy of being called criminals for. Just because you enter in a country undocumented does not make you a criminal. They are simply looking for freedom. People benefit from this myth because they might not want their job opportunities taken so they falsely accuse people to secure their job. This is wrong because jobs can be created everywhere and when people immigrate to new countries they are looking for job opportunities.

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The myth comes from the people of the United States that didn't have anything to do with immigration.

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D block- Mary Mac Gilland , Mae Cianciola, Ann Hayes Bubrig, Sam Coady, Joseph Tidwell

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D block- Mary Mac Gilland , Mae Cianciola, Ann Hayes Bubrig, Sam Coady, Joseph Tidwell

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When we discuss the fact that immigration laws have changed, it reminded us to /made us think about what obstacles people have to go through today.I t turned on a lightbulb and had us connect it to Enriques journey because he had to go through these newly made obstacles and rules. .

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D block- max, anna, graci, wynn, michael 

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D block- max, anna, graci, wynn, michael 

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We think that this myth comes from stereotypes and single stories. We agreed that most of these are said to make immigrants seem unwelcomed and dangerous. This myth is based on stereotypes from people that do not actually try to inform themself of what immigrants are actually like and what they go through to get to the US. We do not agree this myth because it is dehumanizing and falsely informs people about immigrants.

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F block, Annalissa, Victoria, Avery, Emma

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F block, Annalissa, Victoria, Avery, Emma

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America is always going to be a country that has immigrants coming in from all around the world. It is a stereotype to believe that all Americans can speak English just because of where they live. English may be one of the most spoken languages but other languages still do make up a large part of America.
People who can benefit from this myth would be people who are fluent in English only, and believe that it is the superior language and everyone speaks it.

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This myth says that anyone who enters the country illegally is a bad person, but this is not true at all. Most people who come to America are looking for a new life. Our country is known for our freedom, and most other countries do not give their citizens the rights we have in America. People come to America for better jobs and to have their own beliefs. In other countries, you are forced to have a certain religion, and you could be killed because of your differences such as race, sexuality, and gender. Here in America, everyone's differences are respected. So iff anyone comes to America documented, they are most likely a person just looking for a better life oppertunity.

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F Block Sam k, Maddy, Lilian, and Stephen 

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F Block Sam k, Maddy, Lilian, and Stephen 

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When we discuss the fact that ___undocumented immigrants cause crime rates to go up________________, it reminded us to not take into consideration the amount of false myths that go along with immigration, and to not take into consideration the false ones because these myths can lead to false accusations and bad things for people to learn because it will make them think bad of those immigrants. Lastly, this myth is busted by facts and emotions like, crime rates from 1999–2006 were lowest in states with the highest immigration growth rates. During that period the total crime rate fell 14 percent in the 19 top immigration states, compared to only 7 percent in the other 31. That totally busts and breaks this myth in half.

The more we considered why people are willing to believe this myth, or single story, about immigrants we decided/realized that this idea may come from uneducated people that are just perpetrators and want bad reputations on people and countries. We also think that ____only the people that are making these myths up are gaining ________ benefits from this myth because they are probably trying to make these myths up so they can get everything to themselves and get more money are resources and they don't want these immigrants to use a tiny portion of that for their needs, because probably these perpetrators already have a lot and could spare things for others in need, but they don't want to. Not even a little bit to help them. These immigrants are going through very rough times because of money and family and they keep getting rejected by these myth people that just want everything.

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When we discuss the fact that _____________________, it reminded us to /made us think about/ turned on a lightbulb and had us connect it to/(choose one of these, or come up with one of your own) because...

The more we considered why people are willing to believe this myth, or single story, about immigrants we decided/realized/ (choose one of these, or use your own verb), that this idea may come from. . . . We also think that _____________ benefits from this myth because. . ..

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The myth comes from people who think immigrants are the reason that crime rates are up. This made us think about what they should really do. These people creating this myth should be checking the total crime rates and how much crime is totally immigrants. This benefits multiple people such as criminals and law enforcers. The law enforcers benefit because they can catch immigrants and look like heroes whenever the immigrant really did nothing wrong and just got blamed for something he did not even do. The actual criminals can get benefits from this because it can be easier for them to hide because the immigrants will be the ones that are getting focused on rather then them.

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G- Brooklyn, Leah, Lailah, Ella, Julieanna

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G- Brooklyn, Leah, Lailah, Ella, Julieanna

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We think the myth came from selfish people who are stereotypical toward immigrants. They also want people to be afraid of immigrants and think they are here to destroy our country.

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his myth is particular interesting because it is a lot Harder to get into American nowadays because of a lot of things. it's a-lot harder because law- makers / politicians make it harder every year. Also back then you could just go to Ellis island and get a cite