As Erie County Republican candidates and lawmakers continue to spread misinformation about asylum seekers and migrants who may be on their way to Western New York in the upcoming weeks, it’s important that as a community, we continue to address the fearmongering and scare tactics happening locally and across New York State.
Since Republicans like to generally lump immigrants into one big category, it’s important to recognize the difference between them
The terms “asylum seeker” and “illegals” are often used interchangeably, but there is a big difference between the two. An asylum seeker is someone who has fled their home country due to persecution or a well-founded fear of persecution on account of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion. They are legally allowed to enter a country and apply for asylum.
An illegal immigrant, on the other hand, is someone who has entered a country without permission. They are not legally allowed to be in the country and can be deported.
It is important to understand the difference between asylum seekers and illegal immigrants because the way they are treated by the law is different. Asylum seekers are entitled to certain rights, such as the right to a fair hearing and the right to be protected from harm. Illegal immigrants, on the other hand, are not entitled to the same rights and can be deported at any time.
Rep. Nick Langworthy
Langworthy said he had concerns that migrants could spread polio, measles and hepatitis if they came here unvaccinated. “Many of the migrants don’t have a record of the vaccinations,”
Overall, there is no evidence to suggest that migrants are a threat to public health. In fact, migrants can actually help to improve public health by bringing new ideas and perspectives to the table.
There is no evidence to suggest that migrants are more likely to spread disease than the general population. Studies have shown that migrants are actually less likely to be infected with diseases such as HIV, tuberculosis, and hepatitis B.
This is likely due to the fact that migrants are often screened for diseases before they are allowed to enter a new country. Additionally, migrants are more likely to be vaccinated against diseases than the general population.
“Meanwhile, we were firing nurses that were so desperately needed because they refused to get a vaccination.”
New York State fired nurses during the pandemic as a result of a vaccine mandate that was implemented in September 2021. The mandate required all healthcare workers in the state to be vaccinated against COVID-19 by September 27, 2021. Those who did not comply with the mandate were subject to termination.
The mandate was upheld by the courts and as a result, 10,555 healthcare workers in New York State were rightfully terminated for refusing to get properly vaccinated.
Erie County Legislator Jim Malczewski
“sending asylum-seekers here would inundate an already overtaxed system” of medical services, though he said people in his district haven’t been overly concerned with the issue. I know that the residents of my district are concerned about services and with what’s being proposed that will impact the services that the county’s able to provide.”
It is important to remember that migrants and asylum seekers are people who are seeking a better life for themselves and their families. They are often fleeing violence, persecution, or poverty. They deserve to be treated with dignity and respect, and they should not be stigmatized or discriminated against.
Migrants and asylum seekers can also contribute to medical systems and social services. They may bring new skills and knowledge, and they may be able to help to fill labor shortages in certain areas. In addition, they may be able to pay taxes and contribute to the economy.
Some of the other bullshit talking points you will hear in the coming days:
Immigrants take jobs away from Americans
This is a common talking point, but it is not supported by the evidence. In fact, studies have shown that immigrants actually create jobs for Americans. A study by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine found that immigrants “have a small but positive impact on the overall employment of native-born workers.” The study also found that immigrants “do not have a significant impact on the wages of native-born workers.”
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Open in new tab Immigrants are a drain on the economy
There is no direct evidence to support this claim. Studies have shown that immigrants actually contribute to the economy.
A study by the Cato Institute found that immigrants “pay billions of dollars in taxes each year.” The study also found that immigrants “contribute to economic growth of a community.”
Immigrants are more likely to commit crimes than native-born Americans
Again, there is no direct evidence to support this claim. A study by the Vera Institute of Justice actually found that “immigrants are less likely to be incarcerated than native-born Americans.”
The study also found that “immigrants are less likely to commit violent crimes than native-born Americans.”
