MYTH: Over the last few years, there's been an invasion of migrants at the U.S. southern border.
FACT: In recent years, a significant number of migrants arriving at the U.S.–Mexico border have crossed into the U.S. through legal channels, trying to seek asylum. In 2023, 456,750 people applied for asylum in the United States, an increase of nearly 200,000 compared to 2021, when there were 241,280 applications. Global conflicts and economic instability have contributed to the increase in migration as individuals flee violence and poverty. Under U.S. law, asylum is available to individuals who have been persecuted or fear persecution based on race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion.
In 2023, individuals seeking asylum were required to present themselves at a port of entry or already be within the United States to submit their claim. Therefore, there is no invasion at the southern border, rather, there are large groups of people exercising their legal right to claim asylum under both U.S. and international law.
MYTH: It’s easy to come to the U.S. legally.
FACT: There are very few legal pathways for entering the United States, and those that do exist come with strict limitations and eligibility requirements. The Immigration and Nationality Act focuses on 4 main categories when allowing people to enter the U.S. legally. Family members of U.S. citizens (Family-Based Immigration), individuals with valuable employment skills (Employment-Based Immigration), those in need of protection (Humanitarian Program), and people from diverse nations (Diversity Visa Lottery) are prioritized for entry.
Most immigrants don’t have the option to come “the right way” because the “right way” does not exist for them. People who are fleeing violence, who might not have the right employment skills, or who might not hold the right nationality are left with limited options. Find out more about how the U.S. immigration system works by checking out this research from the American Immigration Council.
In 2025, the new administration greatly limited the legal pathways for immigrants by eliminating humanitarian parole programs, CBP one asylum appointments, and temporary protected status. Additionally, the administration has paused refugee resettlement indefinitely.
MYTH: Migrants are criminals and should be feared.
FACT: According to recent research from the American Immigration Council, as immigration rates rise, the crime rate declines. Additionally, the CATO Institute found that in Texas, between 2013 and 2022, undocumented immigrants were 26 percent less likely than the U.S.-born population to be convicted of homicide.
MYTH: The border is unsafe.
FACT: We feel safe around migrants, who are often grateful for humanitarian aid. However, we are deeply concerned about the presence of heavily armed extremists at the border, many of whom have criminal records. While migrants are frequently vilified, it is extremist groups that pose a greater threat to the safety and security of our country.
MYTH: Migrants are responsible for the Fentanyl crisis
FACT: Most illicit fentanyl smuggled into the U.S. comes through official ports of entry (POEs) from U.S. citizens rather than between them. Just 0.02 percent of the people arrested by Border Patrol for crossing unauthorized possessed fentanyl. Additional data from the National Immigration Forum challenges the misconception that most drugs are smuggled in open border areas, emphasizing that traffickers primarily use vehicles and cargo at POEs.
MYTH: Immigrants take jobs from U.S. citizens
FACT: Immigrant workers improve the U.S. economy. Immigrants contribute to the economy by opening businesses, such as stores, restaurants, and factories, that create jobs and support local industries. More workers drive business growth, which helps boost wages. As a result, economists have found that immigrants slightly increase the average wages of U.S.-born workers.
MYTH: Undocumented immigrants don’t pay taxes.
FACT: In 2023, undocumented immigrants contributed $89.9 billion to both federal and state taxes. If someone doesn’t have a social security number, they are assigned an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITNI) instead. In Arizona, undocumented immigrants contributed $2.1 billion to federal and state taxes in 2023.
Banner photo credit: Andy Winter, @borderdiaries1