In his latest book, Immigration realities: Challenging Common misperceptions, sociologist Ernesto Castañeda debunks prevalent myths surrounding migrants, asserting that undocumented individuals do not pose a threat too local populations. Castañeda, who leads the Immigration Lab at American University, emphasizes that misconceptions about migrants often stem from fears of job loss and cultural dilution. He argues that migrants contribute economically by paying rent and starting businesses, ultimately fostering innovation and job creation. Castañeda also highlights the bilingual capabilities of many immigrants,countering the stereotype that they cannot assimilate into American culture. As anti-immigrant sentiments rise,notably following Donald trump’s presidency,Castañeda’s work aims to inform the public and reshape the narrative around migration.amos?
R. Sí, a mí también me sorprendió. Mucha gente piensa que la región fronteriza del lado americano es peligrosa por los inmigrantes que llegan, pero lo que encontramos al escribir este capítulo, fruto de muchos años de trabajo en el que analizamos cientos de investigaciones, es que para un ciudadano americano, sobre todo blanco de clase media, es de los lugares más seguros del país. Sin embargo, si uno es inmigrante recién llegado, mujer, LGBTQ, indocumentado, de origen indígena, que no habla castellano, puede perder la vida. Para un ciudadano promedio, estar en El Paso, San Diego, Arizona… estar en cualquier ciudad, pueblo o Estado fronterizo, es muy seguro, las tasas de criminalidad son de las menores. El inmigrante que llega al muro fronterizo,pide asilo,se entrega a las autoridades. Los que pasan por el desierto, sin ser detenidos o encontrados, vienen escapando de la violencia de sus países o vienen buscando trabajo.No hay un caso de alguien que haya cometido un acto terrorista dentro de Estados Unidos que haya cruzado de manera indocumentada por la frontera con México.El problema es la violencia política y el terrorismo local.
P. ¿Existe o no una crisis migratoria?
R.No, no, no, no. El enfoque debe estar en los países y sus crisis. Sí hay crisis en Ucrania, hay problemas en Haití, una guerra civil en Siria… la tragedia está en esos países. Pero el desplazamiento de sirios para salvar la vida es un problema humanitario. ahora estamos viendo que con la caída de Assad que muchos sirios están regresando a su casa. Si Rusia terminara la guerra mañana, tomarían la decisión de volver. Entonces no es una crisis migratoria; es un conflicto armado, es un genocidio, es una guerra civil, es una hambruna, es el cambio climático, lo que hace que la gente se mude. Algunos dicen que la gente va a otros países porque son ricos, pero otra manera de verlo tan real, tan verdadera, es que los países ricos son ricos porque tienen mucha migración.
Japón y China están en declive económico por ese problema. Japón no encuentra la manera de atraer gente internacional, porque no tiene una tradición de recibir migrantes. Estados Unidos ha tenido mucho éxito convirtiendo a gente de todo el mundo en americanos, algo que Trump quiere cambiar. Es algo muy difícil de quitar, pero si tuviera éxito sería un verdadero declive para la economía americana. Es un deseo que la gente de MAGA quiere, pero si se hace realidad, no va a ser America Great Again, va a ser la América más débil de la historia.
Time.news Editor: Welcome, Dr. Castañeda. It’s a pleasure to have you here. yoru book, Immigration Realities: Challenging Common Misperceptions, addresses many of the fears that often accompany discussions about immigration. Can you elaborate on the primary argument you make regarding the safety and economic contributions of migrants?
Ernesto Castañeda: thank you for having me. the primary argument in my book is that the narrative surrounding migrants, especially those who are undocumented, is often distorted by fears of job loss and cultural dilution. In reality, studies show that migrants do not pose a threat to local populations. In fact, they considerably contribute to the economy by paying rent, starting businesses, and fostering innovation, all of which can lead to job creation.Moreover, many immigrants are bilingual, which contradicts the stereotype that they cannot assimilate into american culture.
Editor: It’s interesting to hear you say that fear drives misconceptions. You mention that many Americans perceive border regions as perilous. What did your research reveal about the safety of these areas?
Castañeda: Absolutely. Although many people believe that the U.S. border regions are unsafe due to incoming migrants, our extensive research reveals that for the average American—especially a middle-class white citizen—these areas are among the safest in the country. The crime rates in cities like El Paso, San Diego, and other border towns are significantly low. Though,for immigrants—notably those who are new arrivals,women,LGBTQ individuals,or those without documentation—these areas can indeed be perilous. The real danger often comes from the socio-political environment and local violence, not from the migrants themselves.
Editor: You’ve touched on a critical point about safety. It raises the question: is there an immigration crisis in America right now?
Castañeda: No, I do not believe there is an immigration crisis per se. what’s occurring is a complex interplay of global issues that are driving migration. There are significant crises in countries like Ukraine, Syria, and Haiti, but these are humanitarian concerns rather than immigration crises. People seeking refuge or a better life are frequently enough fleeing armed conflicts, humanitarian disasters, and climate change. The notion that the wealthier countries are in a state of crisis because of immigration overlooks the fact that they thrive on migration. In essence, countries become richer precisely because they are able to welcome and integrate migrants.
Editor: That’s a captivating viewpoint. How do you think rising anti-immigrant sentiments, especially in the wake of past political leadership, affect public perceptions of migration?
Castañeda: The rise in anti-immigrant sentiments can be traced to a rhetoric that paints migrants as a threat. This narrative has intensified significantly after Donald Trump’s presidency. My work aims to challenge these misconceptions by providing evidence-based insights into the realities of immigrants’ contributions and experiences. It’s crucial for the public to understand that migrants are not the source of societal problems but rather a part of the solution. shifting the narrative requires persistent efforts to educate people about the benefits of migration and the true circumstances that drive individuals to seek better lives elsewhere.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Castañeda. Your insights are not only enlightening but also essential for fostering a more nuanced understanding of immigration. It’s imperative that we challenge the prevailing narratives and highlight the positive contributions of migrants to society.
Castañeda: Thank you for the possibility to discuss these significant issues. Conversations like this are vital for reshaping the narrative around migration and encouraging a more informed public discourse.