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MYTHS ABOUT MIGRATION

Migration can be an emotional and divisive issue – within the politics of many countries, within the communities it affects and even within families and friendship groups. Below are some common myths around migration and the facts behind the myths.

MYTH

Refugees fly for free when resettling to the US.

FACT

Before refugees board onto a plane, refugees sign a document called the Travel Loan that requires them to repay the plane ticket amount. Tickets generally cost $900-$1000 per person. Therefore, a family of 4 will arrive in the US with a debt of $4000.

MYTH

The majority of refugees are fleeing to the United States and European Countries.

FACT

Out of 65.6 million displaced people worldwide, 22.5 million are refugees. In 2016, only 189,300 refugees were resettled in the US and European countries. This is less than 1% of the refugee population.

MYTH

In the past decade, all refugees arriving in the US were from Syria and other Middle Eastern countries.

FACT

In FY 2016, refugees from the Democratic Republic of Congo in Africa made up the largest percentage of refugees resettled in the US. Over the past decade, Burmese refugees have been the largest group resettled to the US, representing 23 percent. Source

MYTH

Muslim refugees are the only refugees being resettled in the US.

FACT

Between October 2007 and April 2017, 47% of refugees being resettled in the US were Christian. In comparison, 32% of refugees admitted to the US were Muslim.

MYTH

Refugees and illegal immigrants have carried out the majority of terror attacks in the US.

FACT

There has never been a terror attack caused by a refugee. In fact, the chance of an American being murdered in a terrorist attack caused by a refugee is 1 in 3.64 billion per year. Furthermore, the chance of being murdered in an attack committed by an illegal immigrant is 1 in 10.9 billion per year.

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