Fact check: What misconceptions do people have for illegal immigrants that arent true

1. Summary of the results

Based on the analyses provided, there are several persistent misconceptions about undocumented immigrants that are contradicted by available data:

Economic Misconceptions:

• Myth: Undocumented immigrants don't pay taxes - This is false. Undocumented immigrants contribute significantly to the US economy through various forms of taxation, including sales taxes, property taxes, and income taxes, with an estimated $96.7 billion in federal, state, and local taxes paid in 2022 ^[1]. The vast majority of undocumented immigrants are working, paying taxes, and contributing to their communities ^[2].
• Myth: Immigrants are a drain on the economy - Research contradicts this claim. A comprehensive study by the National Academy of Sciences found that immigration has an overall positive fiscal impact on the long-term US economy ^[3]. Immigrants participate in the labor force and start businesses at higher rates than the native-born population ^[4].

Crime-Related Misconceptions:

• Myth: Undocumented immigrants are more likely to commit crimes - Data shows the opposite is true. Immigrants, including undocumented individuals, are less likely to commit crimes than US-born individuals, with research showing that communities with higher immigrant populations often experience lower crime rates ^[1].

Integration Misconceptions:

• Myth: Immigrants don't want to learn English or assimilate - Evidence shows that immigrants do want to learn English and integrate into American society ^[3].
• Myth: Immigrants choose not to pursue legal immigration pathways - This misconception ignores the complex realities and limited legal pathways available to many immigrants ^[1].

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

The analyses reveal several important contextual elements often missing from public discourse:

Industry Dependence: Undocumented immigrants play crucial roles in specific industries, particularly agriculture and construction ^[2], highlighting the economic interdependence that exists despite political rhetoric.

Demographic Diversity: The unauthorized immigrant population is diverse in terms of countries of origin, states of residence, and participation in the labor force ^[5], contradicting oversimplified characterizations.

Public Opinion vs. Political Rhetoric: The majority of the public believes that immigration brings benefits to the US, including economic growth and enriching culture and values ^[4], suggesting a disconnect between popular sentiment and political messaging.

Recent Policy Impacts: Under Secretary Kristi Noem's term, 1.6 million illegal aliens have left the U.S. in the first 200 days, with efforts focused on removing criminal illegal aliens and highlighting economic benefits of their departure ^[6].

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original question itself appears neutral and seeks to identify misconceptions rather than perpetuate them. However, the framing could benefit from additional context:

Political Motivations: The analyses suggest that certain politicians and political groups benefit from perpetuating false narratives about immigrants ^[4]. Those who gain from anti-immigrant sentiment often have political or ideological motivations for maintaining these misconceptions despite contradictory evidence.

Terminology Considerations: The use of "illegal immigrants" in the question reflects common usage but may carry implicit bias. The sources use various terms including "undocumented immigrants" and "unauthorized immigrants," which some argue are more neutral descriptors.

Selective Data Presentation: The analyses indicate that misconceptions persist partly because of selective presentation of data and lies and misrepresentations by politicians ^[4], suggesting that misinformation is often deliberately constructed rather than accidentally perpetuated.

The evidence overwhelmingly contradicts common negative stereotypes about undocumented immigrants, showing instead that they are significant economic contributors who are less likely to commit crimes and actively seek to integrate into American society.