Can Immigrants Save Small-Town America?

Next month, the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals will hear arguments on the legality of a law passed back in 2006 by the city council of Hazleton, Pa.

Hazleton’s Illegal Immigration Relief Act denies permits to businesses that employ undocumented immigrants and it fines landlords who rent them apartments.

Rep. Lou Barletta, who was then the mayor of Hazleton, said the law was needed because crime rates shot up and hospitals and schools were overburdened after an influx of Hispanics.

The city became a rallying point for anti-immigration forces as a prime example of the need to shut down borders.

But then a funny thing happened: The law didn’t deter immigrants. They kept coming, and as the Hispanic community became established, members started buying homes, cars and opening stores.

Now the Associated Press quotes a bakery owner hoping this new wave of entrepreneurs will revitalize his street. The Hazleton experience mirrors the findings in a recent study about what happens when immigrants come to town.

Patrick Carr, a sociology professor at Rutgers University, is lead author of the paper, published in The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, which also looked at St. James, Minn., a town that welcomed immigrants.

“There are no real findings to indicate that immigrants brings anything but positive things,” Carr told Here & Now‘s Robin Young.

New York Times: Don’t Shut The Golden Door
Sage Journals: Immigration And Small-Town America

Guest:

Patrick Carr, sociology professor, Rutgers University

We welcome comments from all of our listeners. Post below. Please stay on topic and be civil. Comments may be moderated by us, but you are solely responsible for the content of your comments.

Brooksjl

One clarification needed. Has the growth in immigrant population after the law was passed contained a similar ratio of documented/undocumented immigrants?
Stoneboat

I agree with the comment below. No where in the piece was there any differentiation between legal and illegal immigrants. If the law in question was about illegal immigrants, how is data about the benefits of legal immigrants relevant? This may be the “false media narrative” to which the mayor referred.
- Robin
  
  Hi there.. this is in response to all the comments regarding immigration status.
  
  I did differentiate, saying the law regarded illegal immigrants ,
  but then refered to “immigrants” moving in.. because right now there is no method of knowing which are illegal, there was no calculation of that in the Professors
  study.
  
  Maybe I should have underscored that.
  
  Best
  Robin
Sealover

Robin: Renters don’t contribute to the economic base because they don’t own property? Please! Renters also pay property taxes through their rental payment. Landlords are able to pay those property taxes because of the rents they receive.

Thanks for reporting actual studies, scientifically produced data, on the effect of immigrants.
JAF

Again and again these programs and their moderator’s fail to
separate the issue of immigration and illegal immigration. No problem with
legal immigration, that’s what built our country and you’re more than welcome!!
How would you feel if I just walked into your house, sat on your couch and took
the TV remote from your hand without being invited?

Stop being so dishonest on this issue, it does no one any
good!
- Ed
  
  JAF, first of all, legal immigration did not build this country. Do some basic historical study. The US is founded on illegal immigration and stolen land.
  
  Secondly, your analogy makes no sense. Immigrants, legal or illegal, renting homes, buying products, and working in difficult jobs with low salaries aren’t going into your home and taking things that belong to you. No one is taking the job you don’t want away from you or taking over your apartment. They are paying into this economy and building it up.
  
  Be a good US citizen. Think before you write. Study this issue. Fox News and Lou Dobbs and other racists do not count for anything.
  - JAF
    
    Dear Ed;
    
    I had to debate if it was worth replying to your comment or
    not, but I needed to make one quick “blurb ‘ in regards to your snide reply. I should not be surprised that
    word “racist” somehow slithered out of the gutter into the conversation. I realize I’m not the all-knowing
    and intellectual expert that you are, but to clarify something first; I’ve had many friends (still do)
    over the years from many different religious and ethnic backgrounds and I’m proud of it and a better person for
    it!!!
    
    I’m also no history expert like you and I agree we did steal
    land from the Native Americans and also committed genocide in the process. I can’t do anything about
    what happened in the past, only the present and future and even that is subject to external
    forces. That being said, my point is that by combining illegal immigration and legal immigration together
    it only confuses the issue and does not serve the subject well.
    
    Illegal immigration causes the devaluation
    of human life, enslavement, abuse
    
    and substandard quality of life for all immigrants including
    all Americans as evident of what’s going on in this country. This doesn’t even begin to describe the harm
    it does to the families, towns, villages and home countries that are devastated by their citizens exodus guaranteeing
    continued poverty, quality of life and failed expectations for self-determination.
    
    Ok, enough said, I’m sure you will disagree and imply that I’m
    still a racist and your entitled to your opinions. Oh, almost forgot, you assume I watch Fox News, NOT the case, but why should I NOT be surprised that you assume I do? Bias anybody?
    JAF
Biwi

By continually lumping the legal and illegal immigrants under the one heading, “immigrants,” you significantly distort the story and impose a strong bias in favor of the illegal immigrants.
- T.
  
  Biwi, how do you know whether the “illegal immigrants” aren’t contributing to the town? Does their legal status necessarily make them into unproductive human beings?
  
  Can you prove that this story is distorting reality, or are you in fact distorting things by insisting upon the distinction between legal and illegal immigrants?
rsnslr

I grew up in St. James, MN, and can say from the experience of living in the town for eighteen years (as well as in the area for twenty-six years), that Dr. Carr is spot on with his analysis. I am proud of the way my former community has embraced its growing immigrant community. It is extremely important to recognize how vital the town’s newcomers are to its economic and social vitality. While there are certainly going to be issues in a town where as recently as thirty years ago the population was upwards of 90% non-Hispanic white (mostly of German and Scandinavian descent), there is still a good reason why Dr. Carr has focused his research on St. James. What’s more, I recently moved from Minnesota to Yuma, Arizona, a city in which 50-60% of the populace claims Hispanic roots. Most people who grew up in Minnesota would likely experience a great deal of culture shock up arrival in Yuma, but I feel well-prepared for this new chapter in my life due to the integrative nature of St. James. Thank you Dr. Carr for your insights, and keep up the good work!
Reason

Why would the legal/illegal distinction matter? As in most towns in the US, there’s a mix of legal and undocumented immigrants. The fact remains, however, that their overall impact is overwhelmingly beneficial. One’s legal status does not dictate your impact up on society.
US citizens frequently commit crimes and ruin society and the economy. Just look at W. and the current crop of (sorry excuse for Americans) Republicans running for public office this fall.

If you want to argue that illegal immigration is a crime, fine, it is–but so what? Is it the most dangerous crime and issue facing America? Hardly. Immigrants, legal and illegal, benefit the US much more than most of the idiot Republicans in Congress and the morons in the Supreme Court that treat corporations like people.

Got to hand it to Republicans once again. They’re so pro-life, but they stop caring once you are actually born. I take that back, they are totally pro-life when it comes to rich corporations.
- Christopher
  
  I think there is great value to intent…that is why the legality of a persons immigration status is important to me. Choosing to be an American citizen and participate as an integrated member of a community speaks volumes…and that DOES influence ones impact on society. My family imigrated legally and it had a huge impact on my world view. They came here from Germany after the second world war (so please dont throw in an ignorant comment about racism because let me tell you they faced A LOT of discrimination when they arrived but still made the effort to embrace the country they chose to make their home! ) It has nothing to do with a political party…if you think it does you are missing the point entirely.
Christopher

Robin I noticed your post stating that there is no way of knowing which immigrants are legal and which immigrants are illegal. I guess I question why NPR would then allow such a half baked story to be aired. What has happened to journalistic integrity?! Between “Faux News” and”Not Properly Researched (NPR)” no wonder the American public is so divided and easily led by their emotions! I mean come on already!
http://www.ainegreaney.com/ Aine Greaney

I am so grateful to the producers and journalists who are publishing and broadcasting the facts to counterbalance the frequent hysteria and zenophobia that surround the immigrant debate.
I’m an immigrant–and proud of it. Since coming alone to the U.S. 25 years ago, I have worked many jobs–sometimes two at a time–gone back to college (yes, I paid for it myself) for a master’s degree, and I weathered the U.S. recession better than many of my American friends and ex-colleagues by being able to think and job-hunt outside the box. I work, donate to charity, volunteer my time and talents, and stop to help old ladies in the street. Lots of native-born Americans do the same–and more. But I feel that I have given as much as I have received (make that earned). Look at the U.S. Labor statistics. Check the facts. Listen to programs like this before you spout or stand silently by and tolerate anti-immigrant vitriol that never passes the truth test.
sjw

there is a huge difference between legal immigration, which most american support and are here as direct result of and illegal immigration, which most americans dont support and are making a mockering of our laws, our borders, and bankrupting out society and ruining out melting pot and general culture. illegal immigration keeps wages down, drives up umeployement, passes costs onto taxpayers while ceos or business ownere rake in the profit. meanwhile hospitals provide them free health care, emergency rooms are filled, schools have to educate them without taxes or support, welfare is paid out, social sevices paid out, some states even give them licenses and in state college tuition. press one for english…
Its Just Wrong

Hazleton school district is now officially below basic acceptable levels and students qualify for tuition assistance to go elsewhere…….. look out neighbors