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Debunking prejudiced myths against immigrants
Dear Casper,
The national conversation around immigration is frequently centered around two bold narratives: one, immigrants are responsible for increased violent crime rates, and two, immigration is somehow negative and/or damaging to America.
These narratives point to a common theme: the idea that immigrants are not worthy of protection nor deserving of rights and humane treatment. The problem with these narratives, however, is that they are fictitious. They are myths borne out of a centuries-long prejudice against “outsiders.” This prejudice only serves to bolster White Supremacy, harm America’s future, and unfairly torment the millions of hard-working immigrants who call America home. This is why it is necessary to debunk these myths with truth.
Myth No. 1: Immigrants are responsible for increased violent crime rates. This myth, in some form, is often parroted in national media, social media circles and everyday conversations. Measures designed to stifle immigration and deploy ICE to communities are often justified as a necessary response to violent immigrants. The problem with this is not just that it unfairly stereotypes a group with a broad claim — it’s that it is fundamentally incorrect on two counts.
First, violent crime rates in the United States have decreased since the late 1990s. According to FBI crime statistics, violent crime peaked in 1991 at 758.18 violent crimes per 100,000 people. In 2024, the number was 359.10, the lowest level in 50 years. Violent crimes only seem to be higher today than ever before because more people have access to witnessing these crimes via social media.
Second, immigrants are not responsible for most instances of crime. According to nearly two centuries of data, immigrants commit fewer crimes than U.S.-born citizens. The American Economic Association explains, “By 2019, U.S.-born men were being incarcerated at rates around 3,000 per 100,000, while immigrant rates stayed below 1,500 per 100,000.” It also highlights that, since 1870, U.S.-born incarceration rates have consistently remained higher than immigrant incarceration rates. These rates translate to the state level, too. According to 2019 research by the CATO Institute, in Texas, one of the most immigrant-dominated states in the country, “undocumented immigrants were 37.1% less likely” to be convicted of crimes compared to U.S.-born citizens. Immigrants are not a crime problem — full stop.
Myth No. 2: Immigration is bad and damaging to American values, economy and job markets. Americans were taught that our country is the best and only truly free country while simultaneously learning that American systems are failing and internal and external forces are taking these freedoms away. Narratives that invading immigrant forces are “taking all the good jobs” and “not paying taxes” all while “imposing their foreign values” on Americans do not leave room for the truth.
Undocumented immigrants make up about 8.5 million people within the workforce as of 2024, according to a Center for Migration Studies 2025 report. The same report claims there are more jobs available in the U.S. than unemployed workers to claim them, and they included the undocumented immigrant population in this calculation, meaning the availability of jobs for American workers is not at risk because of immigrants (documented or otherwise). Furthermore, projected areas of economic and job growth in the U.S. are in industries such as electrical and industrial engineering, at-home care, medical research, and hospitality/restaurants — all industries dominated by highly skilled immigrants.
Efforts of mass deportation would and are impacting these industries, leaving more jobs empty and no one qualified or willing to fill them. The problem in America with jobs is not that the jobs are unavailable or taken by immigrants, it is that the pay and benefits offered from these jobs are not enough to sustain the basic needs Americans have, i.e., healthy food, clean water, shelter and healthcare. Blaming immigrants for having the “good jobs” is skewing the root of the problem.
Undocumented immigrants paid $96.7 billion in taxes in 2022 according to the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy. And according to the Tax Policy Center, a majority of this money went toward funding systems and services undocumented immigrants do not have legal access to, including Medicare, Social Security and other tax credits U.S. families are entitled to. Undocumented immigrants fund the very systems Americans take advantage of, not the other way around. Given the amount of taxes taken in by the U.S. government each year from immigrants, belittling the spending power and the economic contributions from this group of people is asinine.
Prejudice against immigrants is dangerous, not just because it is actively damaging to the American ideal of e pluribus unum, “out of many, one,” but also because it has real life impact. Real people are harmed by prejudiced rhetoric that labels their humanity as invalid. Immigrants, whether they are fleeing tyranny, danger, or poverty; seeking new opportunities; or fulfilling a lifelong dream, all make one common decision: they want a better life, and they want it here.
Fear has long been wielded as a weapon against vulnerable populations. By exposing the myths behind the fear, we weaken its power. Our country is home to millions who came from elsewhere. It has been ever since its founding nearly 250 years ago. Immigrants have always made our country stronger, and spewing lies against their contributions and value as human beings is shameful. We must stand against these lies, protect our neighbors, and preserve what makes America a beacon of hope: the idea that all can belong under the banner of We The People.
Kathryn Morgan and Keenan Morgan, Write For Wyoming Initiative
Casper
Who has more legal protections?
Dear Casper,
Who has more legal protection? A goldfish or a human baby?
Recently, a teenage house party resulted in the death of a pet goldfish when one of the guests swallowed the fish. That person now faces up to 6 months in prison if he is convicted under state animal cruelty statutes.
Yet, right here in Casper, the brutal murder of more than 1,000 preborn human babies is referred to by some as reproductive healthcare and a legal right by decisions of judges.
I have sympathy for the family that lost their pet. But where is the justice for these little children who are killed and the moral outcry when it comes to the destruction of human life?
Ross Schriftman
Casper
Making a party declaration
Dear Casper,
We need logic, reason, civility, tolerance and compassion from our leaders. Because I support free and fair elections, public schools, Medicare for all, immigrant neighbors, LGBTQ+ friends and family, energy diversity and protecting our public lands, I will vote blue.
Janet de Vries
Casper
