Anti-Immigrant Backlash

A majority of this nation are of immigrant origin, yet a 1993 poll revealed that 60% of Americans believe immigration is bad for the country. What's happening? A troubled economy, the end of the Cold War and abiding racism contribute to a resurgence of anti-immigrant sentiment. This mentality is not new. Throughout our history, those already here feared new arrivals might threaten their jobs, security, and safety. Unfortunately, scapegoating immigrants for economic and other societal woes distracts from devising real solutions and obscures immigrant contributions. While affirming the need for secure borders, churches and other groups can confront misplaced fears and the discrimination they engender. They challenge persons of faith to recall the Biblical Mandate to care for the sojourner.

"My first name is Jose...I was born an American Citizen. I resent having to prove I am a citizen. And if you ask me for papers right now, I cannot prove it. Neither could you, but most of you willl never have to. I will because of my first name or my accent, and I resent it."
Jose Serrano, Chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, (D-NY)

Anti-Immigrant Bias

--Then--

Benjamin Franklin argued that Germans would never assimilate, learn English, and understand freedom; "Irish Need Not Apply" signs and anti-Catholic movements were prominent in the mid-1800's; from the 1880's through 1965, Asians were virtually excluded from entering the United States; in the 1920's the admission of Southern & Eastern Europeans was restricted because they were thought to be "the wrong kind" of immigrant.

The Rise of Nativism

Italians got the blame when polio struck New York City in the summer of 1916. And though turn-of-the-century Jewish immigrants were by most measures healthier than other Americans, nativists confidently accused them of diluting the nation's pioneer stock.

Fear of the Foreign

--and Now--

Hostility against immigrants is at its highest level in 70 years, prompting a rash of bias crimes against anyone perceived to be "foreign." Examples include:

• Vietnamese make up only 1 percent of the population of Boston, but they represent 15 percent of the victims of hate crimes in the city.
  .........................Intelligence Report

• California, where 40 percent of those who immigrate to the U.S. settle, repeatedly sees bombings and other violent attacks on Asian and Latino immigrants or their advocates.
  .........................Scapegoating Immigrants

• During 1991, there were 119 incidents of hate violence against Arab-Americans - some of it inspired by the Gulf War. This constituted the largest number ever recorded and was more than three times the number of incidents from previous years.
  .........................American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee

• Californians' approval of the controversial Proposition 187 has prompted several states to consider similar measures. The proposition requires educators and medical professionals to deny public services to those "suspected" of being illegal immigrants and report them to the police. Even though restraining orders have been filed to block the implementation of Proposition 187, there have already been violations. Churches report incidents of children being told not to come to school, and pregnant women being turned away from prenatal care. One child tragically died because his parents were too afraid to seek medical care for him.
  .........................NCC News Release

We ask our member churches to speak out on behalf of refugees and immmigrants and to challenge the misconceptions and accusations being made against them; seek ways of building bridges between refugees, immigrants and more established communities, and to confront openly the racism which is apparent in much of the anti-immigrant backlash.

Immigration: Fiction & Fact

Don't Immigrants Take Jobs from U.S. Workers?

In fact, the U.S. Department of Labor has concluded immigrants keep U.S. industries competitive, increase employment through higher rates of self-employment and increase wages and mobility opportunities for many groups of U.S. workers.
The Effects of Immigration on the U.S. Economy

Isn't the U.S. Being Overwhelmed by Immigrants?

In fact, as of 1990, about 8% of U.S. population was foreign born as compared to 15% from 1870 to 1920.

Total number of immigrants received in U.S.A. annually (legal and illegal) - 1.1 million, this includes 700,000 legal immigrants, 120,000 refugees, 300,000 illegals.

Part of the reason new immigration may feel overwhelming is that immigrants settle primarily in four states: California, New York, Florida, and Texas.
Myths, Realities, & Solutions

Don't Most Immigrants Come Into the U.S. Illegally?

In fact, 8 of 11 immigrants to the U.S. arrives legally. Among the undocumented, the Immigration and Naturalization Service estimates that 50% enter on legal visas as students or tourists and stay beyond the expiration date. The Rise of Nativism

Aren't Immigrants Using Services They Don't Pay For?

In fact, undocumented immigrants are ineligible for almost all public benefits, including unemployment and social security, but they pay for these programs through taxes and payroll deductions. State and local governments are struggling because it is estimated about two-thirds of the tax dollars paid by immigrants--legal and undocumented--go to the federal treasury, while most of the health, education and social service costs incurred are paid for by state and local governments. To add insult to injury, for the past 12 years, the federal government has curtailed funding of programs that assist immigrants. Myths, Realities & Solutions

Don't Immigrants Resist Learning English and Integrating into U.S. Society?

In fact, demand for English classes far outstrip the supply. In New York City, for example, interest in adult English classes is so intense that some programs operate a lottery to determine who gains the coveted seats in class. The city estimates that currently, less than 5 percent of the demand is met. ......................English as a Precious Language

Do Our Immigration Admissions Policies Makes Sense?

In fact, admissions to the U.S.A. are based on three values: family, work, and freedom. 80% of legal immigrants are arriving to join close family members (parents, spouses, children). The second priority are skilled workers when there are no qualified Americans to fill the job. The third priority for admission are those fleeing political persecution.
......................Myths, Realities, & Solutions

SOURCES

American Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, 4201 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Suite 500, Washington, DC 20008, 202-244-2990.

The Effects of Immigration on the U.S. Economy and Labor Market.
Papademetriou, et. al., U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of International Labor Affairs, May, 1989.

"English as a Precious Language," Deborah Sontag, The New York Times, August 29, 1993.

"Fear of the Foreign," Geoffrey Cowley (book review of Silent Travelers by Alan M. Kraut), The Washington Post, Sunday, March 27, 1994.

Intelligence Report August 1994/#74, Southern Poverty Law Center.

"Immigration, Your Community, and U.S. Immigration Policy," Public Talk Series, Nov. 1993, Study Circles Resource Center, P.O. Box 203, Pomfret, CT 06258; 203-928-2616.

"Myths, Realities and Solutions" Frank Sharry, SPECTRUM: The Journal of State Government, Winter, 1994, vol. 7, no. 1.

"The Politics of Nativism," Anthony Lewis, The New York Times, January 14, 1994.

The Rise of Nativism in the United States and How to Respond to It, Frank Sharry, National Immigration Forum, Spring, 1994.

"Scapegoating Immigrants: Immigrant-bashing is on the Rise," Elizabeth Martinez, Z Magazine, December, 1993.

This page was excerpted from a four-page brochure entitled Facts Have Faces, which is produced by, and available in both English and Spanish from the Office on Global Education, National Council of Churches/CWS, 2115 No. Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21218-5755. Phone: 410/727-6106; FAX 410/727-6108. All graphics used with permission.