“Logging onto social media nowadays will expose you to numerous posts spreading fear about immigrants posing a danger to your family and even your pets. False claims have circulated, such as immigrants in Springfield, Ohio, eating dogs, cats, and geese. Other posts allege immigrants taking over apartment complexes in Colorado and Chicago, or hijacking school buses in California. Former President Donald Trump, along with his supporters and high-profile conservatives like Elon Musk, have amplified this rhetoric. Trump has made inflammatory statements about immigrants, suggesting they are a threat to the country. However, experts and crime statistics show that the narrative of an immigrant crime wave is often exaggerated or outright false. Similar anti-immigrant sentiments can be found in other countries like the United Kingdom and Sweden. PolitiFact has debunked various claims, including the baseless accusation that Haitian immigrants in Springfield were eating pets. Reports of Venezuelan gang takeovers in Aurora, Colorado, and Chicago have also been proven false. Incidents involving armed migrants attempting to hijack school buses in San Diego were also debunked. Claims that a suspect linked to a Venezuelan gang in Wisconsin was released due to sanctuary city policies were found to be inaccurate. Studies have consistently shown that immigrants commit crimes at a lower rate than US citizens. Overall, the fear-mongering about immigrants and crime lacks substantial evidence and is often driven by political agendas.”
