, Columnist
Immigrants on the Dole? That’s a Myth
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A perennial objection to relaxing the border with Mexico is that the U.S. has to stop poor, low-skilled foreigners from overburdening its social-welfare system. In fact, the opposite is the case: Immigrants help protect this safety net for everyone.
Yet, the misperceptions are deep-seated. According to a Reason-Rupe poll released in March, almost 45 percent of Americans -- Republicans, Democrats and independents -- believe that immigrants come to the U.S. primarily for government benefits.