Crime and Welfare: Two Myths of Immigration

Published: September 05, 2019

Two common myths in the United States about immigration are that more immigrants lead to more crime and more people on welfare. But a closer look reveals that these objections are misguided. In terms of crime, native-born Americans are far more likely to commit crimes than either legal or illegal immigrants. Moreover, federal government benefits are prohibited or delayed for illegal and legal immigrants.

Discussion Questions

1. How do immigrants help a country’s economy?
2. If immigrants are less likely to use federal benefits, why do people believe otherwise? 
3. Do you think immigrants are more likely to work than people born in that country? Why or why not?

Additional Resources

• Read “The Case for More Immigration” David Henderson, available here.
• Read John Cochrane’s chapter “Trade and Immigration” in Blueprint for America here. 
• Read “Send Us Your Young, Your Educated” by Edward Lazear in the Wall Street Journal, available here.