Beyond rhetoric: Immigration in America

What’s the untold story of immigration in the United States? Are our beliefs misconceptions or truths? In this episode of Econ To Go, Neale Mahoney sits down with Stanford economist Ran Abramitzky to unpack some of the most persistent myths about immigration — and what the evidence shows instead. Drawing on decades of data, Abramitzky breaks down how immigrants and their children fare over time, how assimilation works in practice, and why common narratives about crime and economic impact often miss the mark. Along the way, we explore several key themes, including:(01:28) Debunking common myths about immigration(03:11) Upward mobility and the children of immigrants(08:11) What cultural assimilation looks like(11:16) Immigration rhetoric and the facts on crime(17:07) Rethinking immigration policy(22:44) The joy of teaching immigrationEcon To Go brings Stanford economics into your everyday life — served with a side of coffee. Hosted by economist and director of the Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research (SIEPR), Neale Mahoney, the show takes you on a walk across campus with leading thinkers as they unpack the ideas shaping our economy, public policy, and daily lives. Smart, curious, and conversational — it’s Stanford economics, to go.The Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research is a nonpartisan research center that brings together scholars, policymakers, and industry leaders to solve pressing economic challenges and inform better public policy.Never miss an episode. Subscribe to Econ To Go on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. Plus follow SIEPR on LinkedIn or X/Twitter for episode updates and research highlights, or explore more at siepr.stanford.edu.Today’s guest, Ran Abramitzky, is the Stanford Federal Credit Union Professor of Economics and senior associate dean of social sciences at Stanford University and a senior fellow at the Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research. His research focuses on immigration, economic mobility, and economic history. To learn more about his work, visit his Stanford profile or explore these links:Book: Streets of Gold: America's Untold Story of Immigrant SuccessEconomics and the Modern Economic HistorianThe mythical tie between immigration and crime