Immigration - Let's Talk About It
Immigration into the United States is all about who can come into the country and how they can do it.
Some people think we should let more people in, while others say we need stronger rules to keep certain people out.
It's a big argument about fairness, safety, and what's best for our country.
What should be done and who can do it? Read further.
The Ravalli Democratic Committee recognizes the Complex Issue of Immigration
We believe Montanans should:
- Employ a compassionate and comprehensive approach to immigration, emphasizing family unity, respect, and economic benefits.
- Pursue comprehensive immigration reform that addresses the broken immigration system including:
- Improving border security.
- Prioritizing enforcement to target criminals rather than families.
- Keeping families together.
- Providing a permanent solution for DREAMers (young immigrants brought to the U.S. as children) to allow them to study, work, pay taxes, and contribute to our communities.
- Honor America’s history and treat all people who come to the United States with dignity and respect.
Montana Republicans repeatedly Misrepresent Immigration:
“Republicans claim Biden has created an “open border”. Rubbish. Biden has consistently asked for additional funding for border control. Republicans have just as consistently refused.
"Republicans blame the drug crisis on illegal immigration. Rubbish. 90% of fentanyl arrives through official ports of entry, not via immigrants illegally crossing the border. 86% of the people convicted of trafficking fentanyl across the border in 2021 were US citizens.
- "Republicans claim that undocumented immigrants are terrorists. America’s southern border has not been an entry point for terrorists.
- "Republicans say undocumented immigrants are stealing American jobs. Evidence shows immigrants are not taking jobs that American workers want. Unemployment is less than 4% and lower than the national long-term average of 5.71%.
- "Republicans claim undocumented immigrants are responsible for more crime in the US. More baloney. Undocumented immigrants have 'substantially' lower crime rates than native-born citizens and legal immigrants.”
— Robert Reich, former US secretary of labor, is a professor of public policy at the University of California, Berkeley
Immigration has both Positive and Negative Impacts on Montana
Fallacy: Our southern border is wide open, just as Democrats wanted.
Reality: The southern border is not wide open nor do Democrats support such a policy.
Fallacy: Every person who crosses our southern border is doing so illegally.
Reality: Thousands entering our country are legal asylum seekers.
Fallacy: Trump’s intent to build a border wall will solve the immigration issue.
Reality: A wall the length of the southern U.S. border is impractical and won’t fix the long-term issue of immigration.
Immigrants are an integral part of Montana’s diverse and thriving communities
- Approximately 2% of Montana residents are immigrants, contributing to the state’s workforce, businesses, and tax base.
- Immigrant-led households in Montana paid $78 million in federal taxes and $34.5 million in state and local taxes in 2018.
- As of March 2020, there were 70 active DACA recipients in MT, and DACA has been granted to a total of 64 people since 2012
