Science vs. Immigration: Economic and Crime Impact

The Economics of Immigration

Job Displacement and Wage Impacts

• Research suggests that while there can be a slight downward pressure on wages for the most vulnerable workers (specifically those without a high school education), most Americans do not see their wages reduced or their employment threatened by immigration.
• Immigrants often fill labor-intensive roles—such as those in agriculture—that many native-born citizens choose not to pursue as educational levels rise.
• Rather than stealing jobs, immigrants increase the local demand for goods and services, which in turn stimulates new business creation and employment growth.

Long-Term Economic Growth

"The United States prospects for long-term economic growth would be considerably dimmed without the contributions of high-skilled immigrants."

• High-skilled immigrants are key drivers of innovation, as measured by patent output, which provides broad economic benefits to the entire workforce.
• Although immigrant households may consume more public services initially, their children become highly productive taxpayers, leading to a long-run positive fiscal impact.

Immigration and Public Safety

The Crime Myth vs. Reality

• Many myths persist regarding immigrants and criminal behavior, yet extensive data suggests that immigrants do not increase the crime rate.
• In several cases, neighborhoods with higher concentrations of immigrants exhibit lower than average crime rates, as individuals may avoid drawing attention to themselves to maintain their status.
• Research from both the UK and the US demonstrates that the ability to work legally acts as a natural deterrent to property crime, reinforcing the benefits of legal integration over exclusion.