Photo Credit: Molly Adams, Wikimedia Commons
By James S. Bridgeforth, Ph.D.
Illegal immigration has been spoken of in the last few years as if it were an existential threat to American democracy, with a sense of urgency.
Looking deeper, one perceives that this narrative has relatively little to do with reality and everything to do with a conservative agenda. As will be evidenced by data and statistics, illegal immigration offers minimal risks to our democratic institutions and considerable benefits to our economy and higher education landscape.
The Decline in Illegal Border Crossings
First, let’s take on the oft-cited claim that illegal immigration is at an all-time high. The facts tell a different story. According to the Department of Homeland Security, illegal border crossings have declined considerably over recent decades. In 2000, about 1.6 million unauthorized immigrants were caught at the southern border.
Today, data suggests that illegal border crossings have steadily declined since the Trump administration to an all-time low in July 2024. This decrease reflects a myriad of factors, including stricter border enforcement and changing economic conditions in both the U.S. and home countries.
Meanwhile, unauthorized immigration into the United States reached an all-time high of 12.2 million in 2007 and has shrunk to an estimated 10.5 million in 2021, according to Pew Research Center data. All this would suggest that illegal immigration is not a tidal wave that is impossible to staunch but rather one where the system somewhat self-regulates through economic opportunities and constraints.
Economic Contributions of Immigrants
The overriding narrative that illegal immigrants are a drain on resources contrasts with many studies showing the positive contribution of immigrants to the economy. A report from the National Academy of Sciences put the annual contribution of immigrants to the economy at about US$2 trillion. Unauthorized immigrants contribute significantly to key economic growth sectors, including agriculture and construction, hospitality and tourism.
Undocumented labor is a significant factor in agriculture alone in the U.S. The American Farm Bureau Federation estimated that 50-70% of the agricultural workforce was undocumented. Without them, crop production could decline severely, and food prices would increase while the availability of produce would go down.
Further, according to a report by the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy, an estimated $11.7 billion was paid in state and local taxes alone in 2017 by undocumented immigrants. This implies that they are putting a lot into the public coffers while, for the most part, only getting a fraction of the benefits back from the government.
The Role of Immigrants in Higher Education
Higher education is another significant area in which immigrants contribute immensely to building a dynamic academic environment. The Institute of International Education reports that international students alone contributed $45 billion to the U.S. economy in the 2020-2021 academic year. While students pay tuition, they also make immense contributions to local economies regarding housing, food, and other expenditures.
According to the National Science Foundation, international students constitute nearly 50% of all graduate students in engineering and physical sciences during graduate school. These are the very fields that keep America competitive in technology and innovation. A diverse pool of talented individuals from other parts of the world brings to the United States a rich variety of thought and perspectives that propels progress in the various sectors.
Immigrant Participation and the Democratic Process
Concerns that illegal immigration undermines democracy largely relate to the fear of voter fraud. However, studies from the Brennan Center for Justice show that in-person voter fraud occurs in only 0.0001% of the votes cast in recent elections. In addition, unauthorized immigrants cannot vote in federal elections. This baseless fear distracts attention from valid concerns about democracy, such as gerrymandering and voter suppression, which hit at the heart of many marginalized communities.
In fact, many documented and undocumented immigrants are quite active in their communities. A Center for American Progress report concluded that immigrants were more likely to volunteer and join community organizations than U.S.-born citizens. This behavior adds to civic life because it fosters a participatory culture that democratizes rather than damages democracy.
A Misguided Political Strategy
There is a specific political utility in framing illegal immigration as a threat to democracy. For some conservative leaders, this represents a mobilizing call to action on national security and cultural identity, building an image of immigrants as part of the “problem.”
Where it does so, it distracts from more critical issues like economic inequality, healthcare and climate change—all of which demand collaboration across the political divide.
Moreover, this rhetoric fuels fear and xenophobia, prompting divided policies that fail to resolve the origins of migration. Most of these people fled their native countries because of violence, poverty and persecution. Such scenarios must be tackled through foreign policy and international cooperation if one takes an all-rounded approach to immigration.
Conclusion: A Call for Rational Discourse
It is only a myth that illegal immigration threatens American democracy. Evidence continues to pile up that immigrants, undocumented and documented alike, contribute to the economy, improve our educational systems, and strengthen civic engagement.
Now, it is time to develop a reasonable discussion on immigration, considering these realities. Instead of criminalizing immigrants, we should actually be advancing policies that would help them settle in and contribute to our society. Only then will we not only be true to our democratic values but also keep building an America that is strong and inclusive for all its people.
As we live in a time when division too often overshadows unity, the narrative that now plays needs to be pressed and given reason for the depth with which the immigrant community has contributed to our nation. Let us work toward an informed conversation that honors the democratic and inclusive values upon which America was founded.
Bridgeforth enjoys writing as a political columnist who is a passionate advocate for justice and equality whose academic journey reflects a profound commitment to these ideals. With a bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Catawba College, Bridgeforth began his quest to understand and address systemic inequalities. He furthered his expertise with a master’s degree in Higher Education Administration from The University of Massachusetts-Amherst, followed by a Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration and Institutional Research from The University of Southern Mississippi.
Beyond his impressive academic credentials, Bridgeforth is deeply involved in organizations dedicated to empowerment and community service, including Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and 100 Black Men of America. His columns provide insightful commentary on equal opportunity, social justice, economic equity, and higher education, driven by a sincere desire to amplify voices and champion the causes of those often marginalized.
Through his writing, Bridgeforth brings a blend of scholarly rigor and heartfelt advocacy, aiming to inspire change and foster a more just society for all.