They Take Our Jobs Paper Assignment: History 40 Students are Required To
Students are required to write a 5-6 (up to 9) page type-written paper on the book
They Take Our Jobs!
and
Twenty Other Myths about Immigration
. This paper requires students to clearly state the main arguments made by Aviva Chomsky, and present key, summarized points of evidence that she utilizes to support her claim. This is not an outside research paper, nor an opinion paper. This is a critical reflection paper identifying Chomsky’s arguments, claims, and evidence.
Because the text is outlined in six main thematic chapters, I expect students to explain the overall thesis (point/argument/contention) of each chapter, and then choose the required number of examples (myths) as support. Provide an introduction where you state the author, text name (italicize), and Chomsky’s purpose in writing the text. After your intro, you can provide a paragraph for each of the myths you cover.
Be sure in the first body paragraph for each section to provide the overall thesis (her argument) concerning that particular section. After identifying Chomsky’s thesis for that section, detail the number of myths that I list below for that section in paragraph format. Each myth discussed should be summarized in its own paragraph, explaining what the myth is and why it is false, supported by evidence from Chomsky.
The essay should be structured as follows: one paragraph per myth, three main sections (immigrants and the economy, law, and race), and a concluding paragraph that summarizes and ties her arguments together, including insights from her Epilogue.
Paper For Above instruction
Introduction
Aviva Chomsky’s
They Take Our Jobs!
and
Twenty Other Myths about Immigration
is a compelling critique of common misconceptions surrounding immigration in the United States. Chomsky’s primary purpose in writing this book is to challenge prevailing narratives that falsely depict immigrants as economic threats, lawbreakers, and racial stereotypes. She aims to dismantle myths propagated by media, policymakers, and social discourses that sustain divisive political agendas, emphasizing instead the economic contributions, legal realities, and racial diversity of immigrants. The following paper will critically analyze her main arguments across different thematic chapters, highlighting key myths and Chomsky’s evidence that refutes them.
Section 1: Immigrants and the Economy
Chomsky’s overall thesis in this section is that immigrants do not harm the economy but instead contribute significantly to economic growth and innovation. She argues that myths suggesting immigrants displace native workers or drain public resources are false and unsupported by empirical evidence. Instead, immigrants often fill labor shortages, create jobs, and boost economic productivity. Chomsky emphasizes that immigrant labor is integral to industries such as agriculture, construction, and services, and that their presence often helps to stabilize local economies.
Myth 1: Immigrants Take Our Jobs. Many believe that immigrants are responsible for increasing
unemployment among native-born workers. Chomsky counters this myth by citing studies showing that immigrants tend to complement rather than displace native workers, often taking jobs that natives do not want and creating new market opportunities. For example, immigrant workers in agriculture have been found to increase overall employment by enabling the expansion of farming, not by replacing native workers.
Myth 2: Immigrants Are a Drain on Public Resources. The narrative that immigrants use more in social services than they contribute is widespread. Chomsky provides evidence from economic analyses indicating that immigrants, including undocumented workers, pay taxes and contribute to social security. In many cases, their contributions offset the costs associated with their participation in the economy, making them net contributors rather than burdens.
Section 2: Immigrants and the Law
Chomsky’s overall thesis here is that the legal framework surrounding immigration often criminalizes and marginalizes immigrants unjustly. She argues that many myths suggest immigrants are lawbreakers by nature, when in fact, most migrants comply with laws or are honest of intent. Furthermore, she emphasizes that immigration laws are often restrictive, unjust, and serve political agendas rather than reflecting fairness or practicality.
Myth 1: Immigrants Are Criminals. While media often link immigrants to crime, Chomsky highlights research showing that immigrants are less likely to commit crimes than native-born citizens. She points out that charges against immigrants are often exaggerated or misrepresented, and that most unlawful acts involve minor infractions or are criminalized due to broken laws rather than inherent violence or criminality.
Section 3: Immigrants and Race
Chomsky’s thesis on race and immigration is that racial stereotypes are used to dehumanize and justify exclusionary policies. She argues that these myths serve to divide society and obscure the realities of racial diversity among immigrants, who come from many racial and ethnic backgrounds, contributing richly to American multiculturalism.
Myth 1: Immigrants Are Mostly Non-White and Threatening. This myth is rooted in racial stereotypes that portray immigrants as threats to cultural homogeneity and safety. Chomsky points out that immigrants
come from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds; in fact, many are white Europeans, and others are of all races, making the idea of a monolithic insurgence a myth. Data shows the increasing racial and ethnic diversity of immigrants, contradicting stereotypes of threat and impurity.
Myth 2: Immigrants Replace Natives and Threaten Cultural Identity. This myth suggests that immigrants erode native culture and threaten assimilation. Chomsky provides evidence that immigrants contribute to cultural enrichment and that American identity has been continually shaped by immigrant groups. She emphasizes intercultural exchanges, community building, and the ongoing evolution of American society.
Section 4: The Myth that Immigrants Come Only to Enjoy the High Standard of Living
Chomsky argues that this myth is false because the primary reasons for immigration are economic necessity, family reunification, escape from violence, or persecution—not simply seeking higher living standards. She illustrates that many migrants arrive with very little, often working in low-wage, difficult jobs, and that their motivations are complex, rooted in necessity rather than a desire for luxury.
Section 5: The Current Immigration Debate at the Turn of the 21st Century
Chomsky discusses the persistent myths in contemporary political rhetoric, including claims that immigrants are illegal, burdensome, or culturally incompatible. Myth #15 suggests that immigrants are a threat to national security; Myth #16 claims they overload social services; Myth #17 states they harm American workers; and Myth #20 asserts that they are unskilled and uneducated. She argues that these narratives are misleading and serve political agendas aimed at restriction and exclusion. Instead, she advocates for comprehensive immigration reform that recognizes the economic, social, and cultural contributions of immigrants.
In her Epilogue, Chomsky emphasizes the importance of truth, challenge to stereotype-driven narratives, and the need for policies rooted in evidence and justice. She calls for a reevaluation of immigration policies that reflect reality and uphold human dignity, framing her arguments within a broader social justice perspective.
In conclusion, Chomsky’s book aims to debunk myths and provide a factual basis for understanding immigration’s role in American society. Her work calls for awareness, critical thinking, and policy change that recognizes immigrants as vital contributors rather than threats.
References
Chomsky, Aviva.
They Take Our Jobs!
and
Twenty Other Myths about Immigration
. [Publisher], [Year].
Borjas, George J. "The Labor Market Impact of Immigration."
Journal of Economic Perspectives
, vol. 32, no. 2, 2018, pp. 3–28.
Card, David. "Immigration and Inequality."
American Economic Review
, vol. 98, no. 2, 2008, pp. 1–21.
Zolberg, Aristide R. "Responding to Immigration."
Ethnic and Racial Studies
, vol. 22, no. 6, 1999, pp. 1155–1173.
Ngai, Mae M.
Impossible Subjects: Illegal Aliens and the Making of Modern America
. Princeton University Press, 2004.
Foner, Nancy.
From Ellis Island to JFK: Immigrants at the Dawn of the American Century . Oxford University Press, 2007.
Reimers, David M. "The Role of Race and Ethnicity in the Immigration Debate."
Social Science History
, vol. 24, no. 4, 2000, pp. 479–514.
Meissner, Doris, et al. "Immigration Enforcement: The Role of the State and Implication for Immigrant Communities."
Migration Policy Institute , 2017.
Basch, Linda, et al.
Nation(s) Unbound: The Social Bases of Contemporary Nationalism . Routledge, 1994.
Hothschild, Jane. "The Myth of the Benevolent Dream."
The State of the Union: Immigration Policy in the New Millennium , 2005.
