Five Myths about Immigration: Common Misconceptions Underlying U.S. Border-Enforcement Policy

Author: 
Massey, Douglas S.
Periodical: 
Immigration Policy in Focus, Vol. 4, No. 6
Year: 
2005
Month: 
August
Publisher: 
American Immigration Law Foundation Immigration Policy Center
Publication Location: 
Washington, D.C.
Description: 

Contends that the roots of the undocumented immigrant crisis lie in policymakers' fundamental misunderstanding of the causes of migration and migrants' motivations. Uses data to rebut basic misconceptions: that migration is caused by the lack of economic development and rapid population growth in home countries; that migrants are attracted mainly by wage differentials or public benefits; and that most intend to settle permanently in the United States.

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