Some of the most widespread myths about immigration have to do with its effects on the economy. Immigrants are blamed for causing or exacerbating a wide variety of economic ills, from unemployment to low wages to the under-funding of government services. It’s undeniable that many Americans feel economically pinched and vulnerable, and that the numbers of Americans in this situation are increasing. But what role does immigration really play in the larger picture of the U.S.—and the global—economy?