As a concerned citizen, I believe we must address the deeply flawed state of our current immigration system, which leaves millions of families in limbo, threatens economic stability, and diverts resources from crucial national investments. It’s time we heed the overwhelming support among Americans for comprehensive immigration reform—reform that aligns with our values of justice, unity, and economic prosperity.

1. Strict Pathways to Citizenship and Family Unity
While we advocate for a pathway to citizenship for children and those who have lived here for years and contributed to our communities, strict criteria must be met. Pathways should be available only to undocumented immigrants who have committed no serious crimes and have a proven record of positive contributions. This ensures we prioritize law-abiding individuals who enrich our society.

Additionally, we support freezing new pathways to citizenship for recent arrivals. This temporary measure will allow us to focus on those already integrated into our communities while preventing overwhelming new demand.

• 71% of Americans support the Dream Act, providing a pathway to citizenship for those brought to the U.S. as children. [2]
• 71% of respondents back citizenship for farmworkers, and 66% support it for essential workers who make up 75% of undocumented immigrants. [2]
• 64% believe that undocumented spouses of American citizens should stay in the U.S. while their immigration applications are processed. [1]

2. Immigrants as Job Creators and Economic Drivers
Immigrants are vital to the U.S. economy, contributing far beyond the common misconceptions:

• Immigrants are more likely to start businesses than U.S.-born Americans. In 2024, 46% of Fortune 500 companies were founded by immigrants or their children, the highest level ever recorded [7].
  Immigrant-owned businesses employ millions of Americans. In 2017,
• 8 million people worked at businesses owned by immigrants, underscoring their role in job creation. Immigrants also wield $1.1 trillion in spending power [8].
• Innovation thrives thanks to immigrants. They are overrepresented as founders of high-tech and innovative firms. In 2022, four of the most valuable private, venture-backed U.S. companies had immigrant founders [9].
• There are many high-skilled immigrants contributing to fields like engineering, healthcare, and technology
• According to a study by the MIT Sloan School of Management, immigration is associated with a net gain in job availability, dispelling the myth that immigrants take jobs from U.S. citizens [10].

3. The Economic Reality of Trump’s Mass Deportation Plan
The idea that mass deportation would benefit U.S. citizens has always been an illusion. Historical evidence shows that it damages the economy, costs jobs, increases unemployment, and depresses wages. Trump’s proposal to implement the largest deportation effort in American history threatens to vaporize the American workforce and devastate key industries:

• 22% of farmworkers are undocumented. Their removal would lead to massive production declines, higher consumer prices, and increased imports [4].
• 15% of construction workers are undocumented. Deporting them would shrink the construction industry, increase housing costs, and lead to project delays [4].
• 8% of service workers, including child-care providers, are undocumented. Their loss would leave parents scrambling for child care, forcing many to leave their jobs [4].
• 8% of manufacturing workers and 6% of transportation workers are undocumented, crucial roles that are difficult to fill with U.S.-born workers [4].

4. The Historical Failure of Mass Deportation
Deportation has repeatedly failed to help U.S. workers and has instead harmed the economy:

• In the 1930s, state and local governments deported up to 500,000 people of Mexican descent during the Great Depression, promising to create jobs for Americans. Instead, unemployment increased, and wages dropped as businesses downsized due to labor shortages [4].
• In 1964, the removal of nearly 500,000 Mexican farmworkers through the Bracero Exclusion was intended to boost wages for American farmworkers. Instead, production declined, and employers shifted to using fewer workers, increasing imports and damaging the agricultural sector [4].
• The Secure Communities program (2008-2015) deported 454,000 people, resulting in a 0.5% drop in employment and a 0.6% decline in wages for native-born workers [4].
• Arizona’s Legal Arizona Workers Act (2008) drove out an estimated 40% of unauthorized immigrants, leading to a 2% annual economic shrinkage and a 2.5% drop in employment, with low-skilled U.S.-born white men hit hardest [4].

5. Projected Economic Collapse Under Trump’s Plan
Economists project grim outcomes from Trump’s proposed mass deportations:

• Estimates of economic shrinkage range from 2.6% to 6.2%, equivalent to a loss of $1 trillion to $2 trillion [4].
• The Bipartisan Policy Center projects a 5.7% economic shrinkage, amounting to a $1.6 trillion reduction at 2023 levels [4].
• Removing 7.5 million undocumented workers would reduce national hours worked by 3.6%, increasing unemployment for unskilled U.S. workers by over 1% and for skilled workers by 0.5% [4].
• Inflation would rise by up to 3 percentage points, and federal tax collections would decrease by $100 billion per year [4].
• 77% of Americans agree that undocumented immigrants perform jobs that citizens do not want and will not take. Deporting them would harm all Americans, including Trump’s own voter base [4].

6. Crime and Border Safety: Setting the Record Straight
Contrary to political narratives suggesting that the U.S.-Mexico border is a hotbed of crime, recent data reveals a different reality:

• According to new FBI statistics for Fiscal Year 2023, Texas border cities consistently report lower violent crime rates than many interior U.S. cities. The national murder rate was 5.7 per 100,000 residents, while cities like McAllen and Brownsville had rates of 4.8 and 4.2, respectively [6].
• U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar, a senior member of the House Homeland Security Appropriations Committee, has analyzed border crime data for over a decade, consistently finding that crime rates along the border are lower than in other parts of Texas and the U.S. interior [6].
  • Laredo’s murder rate was 3.9 per 100,000, significantly lower than San Antonio (10.94), Fort Worth (8.73), and Waco (8.23).
  • The murder rates in New Orleans and Washington, D.C., were nearly 53 per 100,000 and 38 per 100,000, respectively, far exceeding those of Texas border cities [6].
• Despite a slight increase in violent crime rates in some border areas, overall crime rates remain lower than in many non-border cities, debunking the misconception of widespread violence in border communities [6].
• These findings align with a decade of data consistently showing that border communities are safer than many non-border areas, despite political rhetoric suggesting otherwise

7. The Economic Reality of Mass Deportation
The financial cost of mass deportation is staggering and would devastate our economy:

Deporting 13.3 million people over more than a decade would cost approximately $967.9 billion in total, averaging $88 billion annually. This expenditure is [3]:

• Nearly double the annual budget of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
• Almost four times the budget of NASA.
• Three times the amount spent on federal child nutrition programs.
• More than the entire annual budget for the Child Tax Credit program.
• Eighteen times the global expenditure on cancer research each year.

8. Alternative Investments for National Growth
Instead of spending nearly $1 trillion on mass deportation, we could use these funds for transformative national projects. For the same cost as deporting 13.3 million people, the U.S. could do all the following [3]:

• Build over 40,450 new elementary schools, expanding education access nationwide.
• Construct 2.9 million new homes, addressing the affordable housing crisis. These homes could be built y b immigrants.
• Fund the Head Start program for nearly 79 years, providing early childhood education to millions of children.
• Pay full tuition and expenses for 4.3 million students at private colleges or 8.9 million students at public universities.
• Buy a new car for over 20.4 million people, stimulating the economy and supporting the auto industry.

9. Sensible and Humane Border Security Measures
We support practical and humane border security policies that align with public opinion:

• 90% of Americans favor investing in detection technology to intercept fentanyl and other dangerous drugs at the border [1].
• Instead of building a wall that disrupts Native American burial grounds and endangered species sites, we propose using targeted barriers and advanced surveillance technology where needed [1].
• 60% of Americans support deploying active-duty troops to assist at the border, provided enforcement remains humane [1].
• 72% back the use of the Alien Enemies Act to deport gang members, drug dealers, and cartel affiliates, focusing on those who pose significant public safety threats [1].

10. Humane Asylum Policies
We must ensure our asylum system remains fair and efficient:

• 61% of Americans agree that asylum seekers should demonstrate a reasonable possibility of approval for their application, which streamlines the process and prevents abuse [1].
• The United States has a legal obligation under the 1967 Protocol and the Refugee Act of 1980 to protect those fleeing persecution, and we must honor this commitment [1].

11. Defending Birthright Citizenship and Expanding Legal Immigration

• The principle of birthright citizenship, guaranteed by the 14th Amendment, is fundamental to our nation’s values. There is strong support for maintaining this constitutional rights with 55% of Americans opposing ending automatic citizenship for children born on U.S. soil to undocumented parents [1].
• In addition, 77% of Americans support increasing family sponsored and employment-based visas, addressing labor shortages and supporting economic growth [1].

12. Managing Immigration Flows Responsibly
During periods of high migration pressure, we advocate for temporarily closing the border in a targeted manner. This must be done fairly, without violating the rights of legitimate asylum seekers.

13. Fair Enforcement and Detention Policies

• While 54% of Americans support the arrest and deportation of undocumented individuals, mass deportations of over 10 million people would create a humanitarian crisis and devastate key industries [1].
• Instead, we should focus on prioritizing the deportation of those who pose a clear danger to public safety.
• 58% support penalizing cities that do not cooperate with federal immigration enforcement, provided that pathways to citizenship are available for undocumented residents [1].
• 45% of Americans oppose releasing apprehended immigrants into the U.S. while they await court hearings. We advocate for humane, secure detention facilities that ensure individuals receive fair legal processes without being exposed to unsafe environments [1].

14. Economic Contributions of Immigrants
Undocumented immigrants are integral to our economy:

• In 2022, they paid $97 billion in taxes, including $26 billion to Social Security, despite not being eligible for benefits [11].
• 74% of undocumented immigrants work in essential industries like agriculture, construction, and healthcare [14]. 
• Nearly 50% of farmworkers are undocumented, and their removal would trigger food shortages [11].
• Immigrants make up a disproportionate share of healthcare workers, including 28% of physicians and surgeons, 16% of registered nurses, 24% of dentists, 38% of home health care aids, and 23.1% of healthcare support staff. They are more likely to work in primary care or underserved communities than native-born physicians and immigrant healthcare workers were essential during the pandemic [12].
• At a time when the nation is facing a critical shortage of both RNs and primary care doctors, losing even a fraction of these health care workers would be catastrophic [13].

15. Haitian Immigrants: A Case Study of Economic Revival and Misinformation

• Misinformation about immigrants often leads to unnecessary fear and dangerous consequences. In Springfield, a false allegation that Haitian immigrants were eating dogs and cats sparked bomb threats and forced school closures. The woman who made the claim later discovered her missing cat in her basement and apologized to her Haitian neighbors, but the damage was already done [5]. 
• Despite this baseless fear-mongering, Haitian immigrants have been a vital part of Springfield’s economic growth, driving an economic revival in the area. Contrary to concerns about rising crime, local and city police data, as well as interviews with officials, showed no increase in violent or property crime after the arrival of Haitian immigrants [5]. 
• Instead, wages surged as job openings rose in a tight labor market, helping to stabilize the local economy and slow inflation. This example underscores the positive contributions of immigrants and the harm caused by unfounded rumors and xenophobia [5].

16. A Balanced Approach Over Mass Deportation
Instead of a costly and inhumane mass deportation policy, we propose:

1. Strict pathways to citizenship, focusing on childhood arrivals and long-term, law-abiding residents who contribute positively to society.
2. Prioritizing deportation for criminal elements, such as gang members and cartel affiliates, who pose a genuine threat.
3. Investing in advanced border technology, favored by 90% of Americans, to intercept dangerous drugs and enhance security.
4. Collaborating with Mexico to dismantle cartel operations and curb drug trafficking.
5. Expanding access to substance abuse treatment and decriminalizing marijuana, reducing cartel profits and supporting local regulation.

17. Pathway to Citizenship for 10 million Undocumented Immigrants Would Boost GDP by $1.7 Trillion

According to a UC Davis Global Migration and Center for American Progress study, there are four scenarios-based models for pathways to citizenship. The researchers modeled different economic outcomes based on the scenarios where different groups of undocumented immigrants were granted a pathway to citizenship [15].

1. Scenario 1: Provides a pathway to citizenship for all the 10.2 million undocumented immigrants in the United States. Over a decade, this would boost the total cumulative gross domestic product (GDP) by $1.7 trillion, create 438,800 new jobs and increase the annual wages of legalized workers by $14,000 (32.4%) [15].
2. Scenario 2: Legalization of essential workers would boost the GDP by $989 billion, create 203,200 new jobs, raise beneficiaries’ wages by $11,800 (27.3%) and the average national wages by $300 over the next decade. According to the report, 5 million undocumented immigrants are considered essential workers, based on Census Bureau data and a Department of Homeland Security definition of “essential workers." [15].
3. Scenario 3: Passage of the American Dream and Promise Act would boost the national GDP by $799 billion and create 285,400 new jobs over the next decade. The average salary of covered Dreamers and TPS holders would rise by $16,800 (38.9%) over that time span, while nationwide average salaries would be pushed up by $400 [15].
4. Scenario 4: A combination of the American Dream and Promise Act plus pathway to citizenship for essential workers would boost the GDP by $1.5 trillion, create 400,800 new jobs, raise the wages of legalized immigrants by $13,500 (31.3%) and nationwide average wages by $600 

A Call for Sensible Reform

Comprehensive immigration reform is not just a policy choice—it is an urgent necessity for economic stability, human dignity, and  upholding our constitutional values. By rejecting the costly and ineffective strategy of mass deportation, we can invest in a future that benefits all Americans. The time to act is now. Sign this petition today to support balanced, compassionate immigration reform that respects human dignity and leverages our resources for true national growth.

Sources:

1. Immigration: What 2024 voters want and which candidate they trust (https://today.yougov.com/politics/articles/50795-immigration-what-2024-voters-want-and-which-candidate-they-trust
2. Pathways to Citizenship for Undocumented Immigrants (https://www.fwd.us/news/pathway-to-citizenship/
3. Mass Deportation Devastating Costs to America, Its Budget and Economy (https://www.americanimmigrationcouncil.org/research/mass-deportation
4. Trump’s Plan to Vaporize the Economy (https://mettlinger.medium.com/trumps-plan-to-vaporize-the-economy-59418f52d586
5. How Haitian immigrants fueled Springfield's growth (https://www.reuters.com/world/us/haitian-immigrants-fueled-springfields-growth-now-us-presidential-debate-2024-09-11/
6. Texas border communities again safer from violent crimes, new FBI data shows (https://www.borderreport.com/immigration/border-crime/texas-border-communities-again-safer-from-violent-crimes-new-fbi-data-shows/
7. New American Fortune 500 in 2024 (https://www.americanimmigrationcouncil.org/research/new-american-fortune-500-2024#:~:text=This%20group%20includes%20widely%20recognized,innovation%20and%20growth%20in%20America
8. New Data Shows Immigrant-Owned Businesses Employed 8 Million Americans; Immigrants Wield $1.1 Trillion in Spending Power (https://www.newamericaneconomy.org/uncategorized/new-data-shows-immigrant-owned-businesses-employed-8-million-americans-immigrants-wield-1-1-trillion-in-spending-power/
9. Immigrant Entrepreneurs Bring Jobs And Innovation, New Research Shows (https://www.forbes.com/sites/stuartanderson/2024/05/23/immigrant-entrepreneurs-bring-jobs-and-innovation-new-research-shows/
10. Study: Immigrants in the U.S. are more likely to start firms, create jobs (https://news.mit.edu/2022/study-immigrants-more-likely-start-firms-create-jobs-0509
11. Tax Payments by Undocumented Immigrants (https://itep.org/undocumented-immigrants-taxes-2024/#:~:text=Specifically%2C%20we%20find%20that%20in,because%20of%20their%20immigration%20status
12. Immigrant Health-Care Workers in the United States (https://www.migrationpolicy.org/article/immigrant-health-care-workers-united-states-2018
13. Mass Deportation Of Health Workers Would Put Patients At Risk (https://www.forbes.com/sites/howardgleckman/2024/09/26/mass-deportation-of-health-workers-would-put-patients-at-risk/
14. US Foreign-Born Essential Workers by Status and State, and the Global Pandemic (https://cmsny.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/US-Essential-Workers-Printable.pdf
15. Pathway to Citizenship for 10 million Undocumented Immigrants Would Boost GDP by $1.7 Trillion (https://research.ucdavis.edu/pathway-to-citizenship-for-10-million-undocumented-immigrants-would-boost-gdp-by-1-7-trillion/#:~:text=Scenario%201:%20Provides%20a%20pathway,workers%20by%20$14%2C000%20(32.4%25)