Independence Day Edition: Oh, The Irony

TL;DR: America wouldn’t exist without immigrants, but they’re being demonized by people whose own families came here the same way. Let’s set the record straight.

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Because of the growing push to sanitize America and make everyone here look, speak, and believe one way, entire communities are being criminalized and blamed for systemic issues that are not their fault.

While we light fireworks in honor of freedom and the fight for independence, the facts about immigration are twisted beyond recognition.

Take this clip where Sam Seder calls out Patrick Bet-David and crew for falsely claiming over 2 million Social Security numbers were handed out to undocumented immigrants.

Spoiler: they weren’t.

Those SSNs were issued under Enumeration Before Entry (EBE), a legal, Trump-era program that assigns Social Security numbers to lawfully-admitted immigrants before arrival, so they can start working, paying taxes, and complying with U.S. systems from day one.

Seder: “The amount of misinformation, from every single person, all of you, was astonishing to me.”

To add to the level of misinformation here, PBD’s own family benefited from the same kind of program. But sure, go off.

TRUTH: There is no America without immigrants.

Immigrants are essential to the U.S. economy, making up a large share of the workforce in agriculture, construction, caregiving, and service industries. Many pay taxes, including undocumented workers, contributing billions annually through payroll and sales taxes. And contrary to the noise, immigrants commit fewer crimes than native-born citizens.

Let’s be clear about who’s being targeted.
The majority of immigrants having their doors kicked in or being forced into unmarked vans by armed, masked cowards aren’t “illegals” hiding in shadows. They’re people who came here legally, followed the rules, and work the hardest jobs in the country, growing, picking, building, and cleaning. They’re not stealing anything.

Unless your ancestors were Indigenous to this land or were brought here in chains, you are here because someone in your family immigrated.

If we are to celebrate one truth, we must hold the others with equal weight.

We created this simple table to clarify the difference between legal immigration statuses.

Immigration Status Comparison

U.S. Citizen

Already a U.S. citizen by birth or naturalization. Protected from deportation.

Green Card Holder

A lawful permanent resident. Can apply for citizenship after 5 years, or 3 if married to a U.S. citizen. Deportable only for serious crimes or fraud.

Visa Holder

“Visa holder” covers many categories – some allow work (like H-1B), others don’t (like tourist visas). Most are temporary, and overstaying or violating terms can lead to deportation.

Refugee (legal and protected under U.S. and international law)

Applies from outside the U.S. and is legally admitted, usually through a UN or international resettlement program. Must apply for a green card after 1 year, and may apply for citizenship after 5 years total in the U.S.  Deportation is rare but possible.

Asylee

Applies from within the U.S. or at the border. Must apply for a green card after 1 year of asylum; can apply for citizenship 5 years after that. Protected status, but not immune from deportation.

TPS Holder

Temporary Protected Status is granted during crisis in one’s home country. Must reapply regularly and have a valid work permit (EAD). Can’t apply for citizenship through TPS alone.

DACA Recipient

DACA offers temporary protection and work authorization with an EAD. It is not a legal immigration status and can be changed or ended through executive action. Not a pathway to citizenship.

Undocumented

Entered the country without inspection or overstayed a visa. No legal status, work authorization, or path to citizenship. High risk of deportation.

Have a myth you’d like us to fact-check next? Let us know.

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