The US needs to welcome immigrants, not demonize them

EVEN for an administration that makes no secret of its antipathy toward immigrants, recent rhetoric from the White House has been alarming and inflammatory — and at odds with reality.

- By The Editorial Board

The facts are: Immigrants are more likely to be in the workforce, and start businesses, than native-born Americans. They are less likely to commit crimes. Even unauthorized immigrants pay more in taxes than they get back in benefits, many of which they’re ineligible to receive.

Nor is it true that they’re taking jobs away from Americans, as the president claims. The US currently has about 7 million job openings, far above historic norms. In some cases, employers can’t find workers with the right skills. In others, they can’t find workers at all — and the decline of immigration is one big reason why. Compared to a year ago, there are more than 300,000 fewer immigrants working in construction, landscaping and food service. Earlier this month, some 2,000 businesses and industry groups signed a letter highlighting the “dire shortage of seasonal labor” and urging the administration to make more visas available.