On the radio this evening*, I heard Julie Preston, the NYT correspondent for immigration (or similar title) claim that illegal immigrants commit crimes at a lower rate than native-born Americans. Setting aside the fact that 100% of them are committing a crime merely by being here, she’s either lying or misinformed. And, given her position, any ignorance of the statistics must be a willful ignorance.

But wait, there’s more! She also stated that in the past, migrant workers would come into the US, work for a while, then go back home for a while with their money, lather, rinse, repeat. It’s only recently, with border crossing having become more difficult, that the migrants are bringing their families and staying for a long while. So, you see, it’s really the nativist Americans who are responsible for the flood of long-term migrant workers and the load on hospitals, schools, and other services.

Odd thing is, I could have sworn I heard the same argument ten or maybe even twenty years ago. But I guess a specious argument doesn’t become more specious for being stale, just like a lie for the greater good doesn’t become “false” just because some people won’t accept it.

* I don’t know what station or what program. It was 19:30-ish EST, on a news station. From the audio quality I think it was an FM station, and thus probably public radio.