Work, Not Welfare, Lures Latinas

A recently published study by UC Irvine provides valuable insight into the reasons undocumented Latinas come to the United States and why they stay. Unfortunately, in today’s overheated political climate, the study was dismissed quickly by those favoring harsh treatment of all illegal immigrants, including children.

The study was based on telephone interviews with 160 undocumented Latinas selected at random. It was an offshoot of a larger study for the American Cancer Institute on cancer screening and treatment. The cancer study has interviewed 422 white women and 803 Latinas in Orange County, including undocumented residents, legal immigrants and Latina citizens.

Researchers found that those who are not here legally came for work, not welfare. That is important because one of the myths about illegal immigrants is that they come to feast on the dollars of hard-working American taxpayers. There is a contradictory myth, too, that immigrants take jobs from Americans.

In fact, most studies have found that the undocumented come to the United States for jobs that most Americans will not perform.

Another important finding was that only 3% of the undocumented Latinas in the study reported receiving Aid to Families with Dependent Children for their U.S.-born children--who are citizens. That is the same percentage as for Latinas who are legal immigrants and those born here.

Researchers also reported a sense of community, with those who have lived in the county longer more likely to want to stay here. Families and friendships gave them a sense of roots. That undercuts the argument that cutting off benefits to undocumented residents will cause them to pick up stakes and immediately go home.

One demographer rightly noted that the UCI study was not definitive since it focused only on immigrants dwelling in an urban area, not those in rural areas.

But the conclusions deserve more than the response of a former federal immigration official, who said the study appeared to be “a complete whitewash of illegal immigration.” It is not. It is a compilation of facts, just what is needed in the debate over control of our borders and how to cope with the undocumented who are already here.