Anecdotes can be powerful weapons in the hands of those with no real evidence to back up their claims. They will use them to distract and discredit any valid arguments, preying on the gullible and easily swayed. These tactics are rampant in politics and advertising, constantly seeking to manipulate the vulnerable. We must remain vigilant against these tactics and demand honest data and thorough analysis.

Amidst the chaos and fear mongering, one such dangerous narrative has taken hold. Politicians and certain media outlets have latched on to the false belief that newcomers, particularly those without documentation, are responsible for a surge in criminal activity. Instead of relying on solid evidence and empirical data, they propagate this baseless claim through sensationalized headlines and cherry-picked anecdotes.

The reality is that the research overwhelmingly disproves this notion. In fact, immigrants may even have lower rates of involvement with law enforcement compared to native-born Americans. Yet, despite these facts, fear-mongering continues to drive the conversation around immigration, as politicians pander to voters ahead of critical elections.

It is imperative that we focus on truth and facts rather than succumbing to fear and prejudice. The stakes are too high for us to be distracted by misleading narratives about immigrants and crime. We must reject these dangerous claims and demand accountability from our leaders who perpetuate them. Our society deserves better than ignorant rhetoric and unfounded accusations fueled by political agendas.

As mentioned in my previous post, statistics on violent crime and homicide rates can be misleading and highly subjective. They are heavily influenced by context and the time frame being examined.

Overall, crime levels have remained relatively stable over the past decade, staying within expected ranges, well below those experienced in 70’s and 80’s. However, there is a pervasive myth perpetuated by manipulators that immigrants are responsible for a disproportionate amount of crime. This false narrative often cites the alarming rise in fentanyl use in America as evidence.

Fentanyl, a deadly synthetic opioid, boasts a potency that is 20 to 40 times greater than heroin and a staggering 100 times more potent than morphine. Its insidious grip on the United States has fueled an epidemic of drug overdose deaths, particularly involving synthetic opioids. From 2011 to 2021, prescription opioid deaths per year remained steady, while synthetic opioid deaths skyrocketed from 2,600 overdoses to a devastating 70,601. The impact of this highly addictive and dangerous substance continues to ravage communities.

Damning evidence reveals that the deadly drug fentanyl is primarily infiltrating the U.S. through its own citizens, exploiting legal ports of entry as its gateway. The sinister strategy is simple: criminal organizations prefer using U.S. citizens as their pawns, knowing they will face less scrutiny and suspicion when attempting to re-enter the country through official channels. Shockingly, the data shows that a vast majority (88 percent) of fentanyl traffickers in FY 2022 were U.S. citizens. More recent data indicates that this percentage has risen to 91% today.

The Cato Institute uncovered that only 0.02 percent of migrants detained by Border Patrol for illegal border crossings possessed fentanyl – illustrating that while border officials grapple with challenges related to processing asylum seekers, it is mainly U.S. citizens driving the devastating flow of this lethal drug into the country.

As time passes, we realize that everything new is a variation of something that has come before. This sentiment holds true today as I reflect on a 1931 report from the National Commission of Law and Enforcement. The faded ink captures a glimpse into the past, beckoning us to learn from history and apply it to our present circumstances. As I read through the report, I was transported back in time, surrounded by the sights and sounds of the era. It is a reminder that although times may change, certain truths remain constant.

The aged, yellowed pages of the 1931 report hold words that still ring true, despite the passing of nearly a century.

“The theory that immigration is responsible for crime, that the most recent ‘wave of immigration,’ whatever the nationality, is less desirable than the old ones, that all newcomers should be regarded with an attitude of suspicion, is a theory that is almost as old as the colonies planted by Englishmen on the New England coast.”

It is a pity, when there are so many factual economic and social issues to focus on, that people need to contrive false narratives. Such is life I’m afraid.