Myths and facts about immigration

(Editor’s Note: This is the seventh in a seven-part series of immigration reform articles prepared by the Indiana Catholic Conference. Capsule forms have been prepared for use in parish bulletins. Diocesan newspapers throughout the state have agreed to publish the series in its longer form.)

Perceived myth: Most immigrants cross the border illegally.

Known fact: Around 75 percent of today’s immigrants have legal permanent (immigrant) visas. Of the 25 percent that are undocumented, 40 percent overstayed temporary (non-immigrant) visas. (Source: Department of Homeland Security)

Immigrants in Indiana: Number and work force

According to the 2000 census, 3.1 percent of Indiana residents are foreign born. Residents total more than 186,500.

This includes those who are now citizens and those here as non-immigrants, such as refugees, students and workers with visas as well as the undocumented residents. Growth since 2000 is estimated to be approximately 68,000, raising the total to 4 percent of the total population.

Immigrants other than Latino

According to the 2000 census, immigrants in Indiana come from all continents and countries with 41.5 percent from Latin America, 26.6 percent from Asia, 23.2 percent from Europe, 4.2 percent from North America, 3.9 percent from Africa and 0.5 percent from Oceania. Countries with the highest number of immigrants are Mexico, Germany, India, United Kingdom (England), China and the Philippines.

Why don’t they just get the documents? Why do they break the law?

Many undocumented immigrants come from desperate circumstances.

Although it is difficult to leave one’s home country and family, these individuals chose to leave their homes, where there are limited job opportunities, to improve the lives of their families, often to provide for basic human needs.

Fathers and mothers are desperate to care for their family. Young men and women desire to work, and they have a strong work ethic.

Many businesses need workers and are interested in hiring these individuals, yet cannot hire willing workers with visas.

For example, someone with requisite skills and with a job waiting may have to wait up to five years for the U.S. to process a work visa. These are people who need work and are willing to work hard.

Although many immigrants work at lower paying jobs, the wages are more than they can earn in their home country and the value of the dollar is such that even a little makes a big difference to the family members who are left behind.

For the immigrant, it is a matter of life—one’s own and one’s family. Left with few options, desperation forces one to break civil law in order to fulfill natural law. †