“Sadly,” Salvatierra remarks, “there’s still a lot of misinformation out there. For example, I’ve seen reports from organizations like the Heritage Foundation claiming that immigrant crime is on the rise. That’s simply not true. In fact, according to a recent U.S. Department of Justice report, crime rates overall are down, and as has always been the case, crime committed by immigrants remains below the national average. Sure, immigrants aren’t a perfect population—some commit offenses—but the majority of these are lower-level misdemeanor crimes. The narrative that most immigrants are serious criminal offenders is simply not true. I see undocumented parents raising American children, working hard, going to Church, paying taxes, contributing to their local economies, and most importantly being law-abiding.
“Another common fallacy is that immigrants, especially undocumented ones, are draining our social service reserves,” she continues. “That’s also untrue. Without legal status, they do not qualify for state or federal public benefits. Yet despite these challenges, many immigrants, including those brought here as children, are giving back to their adopted country in significant ways. They serve in the armed forces, contribute to their communities, participate in their homeowners’ associations, and play a vital role as strong, engaged members of society.”
Clearly disheartened by the current atmosphere and concerned for her clients and other immigrants striving to improve their lives, Salvatierra believes that the only real solution must come from Congress.
“The current process is tangled and riddled with obstacles,” she explains. “The one thing I’d like to see is Congress step up to take meaningful action and establish a clear, organized framework for immigration. If Congress created a blueprint for the kind of immigration system we want, we wouldn’t have to endure the uncertainty of wondering what changes might come with every new administration.”
Right now, she points out, much of the process hinges on executive orders. “The law itself doesn’t change, but the policies do,” she says. “I can’t imagine the anxiety immigrants must feel, waiting and wondering which way the pendulum will swing next.”
Salvatierra also highlights a surprising fact – under President Obama, there were more deportations than during the Trump administration, though she acknowledges that Obama’s longer time in office allowed for a broader implementation of his policies.
“History will show that Obama was a border enforcer,” she observes. “But his approach was both strategic and empathetic. He prioritized deportations, focusing on individuals who posed a threat to public safety. At the same time, he said, ‘I don’t want to deport someone with children who depend on them, especially if they have no criminal history.’ That, to me, was an immigration policy that was clear, compassionate, and effective.”
