2008 Party Platforms on Immigration - Immigration Myths
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| 2008 Party Platforms on Immigration |
| Immigration Myths |
| Democratic Platform on Immigration |
| Republican Platform on Immigration and Security |
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There are myths in both party platforms.
Taxes
The one I recognized in the Democratic Platform is the last statement about taxes. While I'm sure there are immigrants (documented and undocumented) not paying taxes (just like many American's dont'), it is extremely hard not to pay any taxes.
If you buy anything, you pay local sales taxes. If you live in a rented or owned residence, your money is going towards property taxes. I think most can agree that the typical immigrant buys things and pays rent somewhere.
I have worked in a human resources department where several employees complained of employees suspected of having forged documentation not paying taxes. I would look and see Social Security and Income Tax taken out and ask what they meant. The explanation was that a couple of employees had a lot of deductions taken out which minimized their income tax. The rest was paid and the rest of the employees paid. Of course, it's also known that those with false documentation can't collect Social Security once they put it in - and they do put it in. It's not that they don't pay any taxes - because all of them do in some form. The real complaint was that some didn't pay a particular tax - assuming of course, the deductions were false..
Code Words & Security
The Republican Platform adopted a host of myths. NCLR and the Anti-Defamation League have a great website called We Can Stop The Hate which I think is very important. They also have a video by the Anti-Defamation League detailing why language is important in protecting groups from demonization and other forms of attack - Code Words of Hate. The primary problem is that the Immigration section is coupled with crime and terrorism. The opening statement is : "Immigration policy is a national security issue."
As a reminder for those who don't know: the 9-11 terrorists had visas.
The first myth is immediately connecting immigration with terrorism. Oklahoma City, Anthrax and the first recognized terrorist group in this country, the Ku Klux Klan, have shown us domestic terrorism is also a vital threat.
Amnesty
Another myth is the use of the word amnesty. If I commit a crime, like forging my driver's license, I may pay a fine and lose the privilege to drive for a while. Nobody would call that amnesty. However, if you look at the Democratic Proposal for undocumented immigrants making it right: "We support a system that requires undocumented immigrants who are in good standing to pay a fine, pay taxes, learn English, and go to the back of the line for the opportunity to become citizens." This is often called amnesty, even though there is a penalty paid and no special privilege afterwards.
English
I remember Al Gore, in a 2000 speech, saying something to the effect of "Our language is what united us." I thought, "what a shame." Hopefully, after traveling around the world and joining with people around the world to promote his agenda of climate change and seeing others do the same, he will realize a culture of positive values can also form a large community. The United States has also never been monolingual and English is not threatened.
The Democratic Party makes a nod to those who want immigrants to learn English by saying they should. This isn't really an issue because studies show immigrants are learning English at a similar rates as prior generations.
The Republican Party wants English to be the official language. This would be a change for our country from the past 200 years and our founding. Ironically, making English official is the beginning of their "Embracing Immigrant Communities" section. The bulk of that section has to do with immigrants learning English. Most immigrants do, the vast majority want to - and all of this without compulsory laws.
Rule of Law
One of the more disturbing statements in the GOP platform is: "Both government and the private sector must do more to foster legally present immigrants' integration into American life to advance respect for the rule of law and a common American identity."
This statement is made about legal immigrants.
Assimilation has absolutely nothing to do with an immigrant's ability to obey the law. They have laws in Latin America as well. As a matter of fact, if we were going to stereotype, the United States has the largest prison population per capita and by pure number in the world.
Local Law Enforcement
The Republican Platform also calls for allowing and encouraging local police departments to enforce immigration. After, 9-11 many local departments refused to obey Department of Justice mandates and requests for round ups and widespread questioning of immigrants. This was due to the knowledge and experience of those departments in knowing that if they are seen as a threat, crimes won't get reported. This will lead to a population that can be easily preyed on by criminals and where crime can prosper. Ther local police departments know the residents of that area need to be able to call the police without being threatened themselves. Even legal immigrants will hesitate to call if they think they will be questioned more than another person for reporting a crime. This is the same reason many police departments have had active outreach to African American communities as well.
Resources on Myths
The Republican platform freely uses the word "illegal alien" many times in their platform. Anti-Hispanic and anti-Immigrant groups insist people use this term. They do so because it endorses their position. I've always wondered why we don't refer to people with expired driver's licenses, or those caught speeding, as illegals.
The organized propagation of myths, disinformation and dehumanizing language are important tools for growing anti-immigrant and anti-Hispanic sentiments.
Here are excellent web sites citing studies to debunk common myths on immigration.
Language Policy Web Site & Emporium