South Africa faces escalating anti-immigrant sentiment, with protesters demanding undocumented foreigners leave. Despite claims of being overrun and contributing to crime and job losses, data suggests otherwise. Migrants constitute a small percentage of the population, and evidence indicates they are law-abiding and contribute to the economy. Underlying issues of poor governance and high unemployment fuel this xenophobia.

Thousands of African immigrants are leaving South Africa because of a rise in anti-migration anger that sparked attacks against foreigners.

Vigilante groups and right-wing populist forces are stoking anti-immigrant sentiment and demanding that they leave the country by June 30. Experts fear serious economic…