To the Editor:

During recent peaceful protests in Altamont, a few neighbors have approached our group with misconceptions that deserve clarification. As a community-based organization committed to civic engagement and fact-based dialogue, Helderberg Indivisible would like to address some of these falsehoods and help set the record straight.

— Claim 1: Home values in Altamont have dropped by 50 percent because of protests and lawn signs.

That’s simply not true. Publicly available real-estate data show that Altamont home values have remained steady or increased modestly over the past year. According to the Zillow Home Value Index for ZIP 12009 (2025), the average home value rose by about 3 to 4 percent year-over-year. Local listings and closed sales confirm that the housing market remains healthy. Activism and civic expression do not cause a 50-percent property value drop — that kind of claim has no factual basis.

— Claim 2: Undocumented immigrants are voting in federal elections.

This is also false. Federal law clearly prohibits non-citizens from voting in federal, state, or local elections. Only United States citizens may legally vote. Title 18, Section 611 of the U.S. Code makes it a federal crime for non-citizens to vote in federal elections. The National Conference of State Legislatures confirms there is no evidence of widespread non-citizen voting anywhere in the United States. Additionally, no credible evidence of undocumented immigrants voting in New York or nationally has been found by the Brennan Center for Justice or the Associated Press.

— Claim 3: Taxpayer dollars are being used to support undocumented immigrants.

This is one of the most persistent — and misleading — misconceptions. In reality, undocumented immigrants pay billions of dollars in taxes every year, including property taxes (often through rent), sales taxes, and even income taxes using Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers (ITINs). According to the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy (2024), undocumented immigrants contributed more than $11 billion in state and local taxes nationwide in 2022.

Despite these contributions, undocumented immigrants are ineligible for nearly all federal benefits, including Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid (except for emergency care), and most forms of public assistance (Congressional Research Service, “Unauthorized Immigrants’ Eligibility for Federal and State Benefits,” 2023). The idea that they’re receiving special taxpayer-funded perks is not supported by evidence.

— Claim 4: More than half the country voted for or supports Donald Trump.

That’s not accurate. In the 2024 presidential election, Donald Trump received about 49.8 percent of the popular vote, which is not a majority (Council on Foreign Relations, “2024 Election by the Numbers,” 2025). Third-party candidates and voter abstention explain why winning an election doesn’t always mean winning over half of all eligible voters.

Current polling also shows that fewer than half of Americans support his administration. As of August 2025, Trump’s job approval stood at 38 percent approve and 60 percent disapprove, according to the Pew Research Center (2025). In other words, a clear majority of Americans disapprove of his performance in office. Claims that “most Americans” support any one leader misrepresent the data and discourage constructive civic dialogue. Democracy works best when facts, not slogans, guide discussion.

— Claim 5: We’ve made Altamont an “unfriendly place to be.”

Nothing could be further from the truth. Our group includes members from their teens to their nineties — educators, veterans, parents, retirees, Christians, Jews, and people of many backgrounds who love this community. We engage in peaceful protest, but we also give back through food and supply drives, community education, and local events like this year’s Constitution Day Celebration in Orsini Park.

Our activism is rooted in civic pride — not hostility. We believe that civic participation, compassion, and truth-telling are essential to a healthy democracy.

It’s understandable that social change can stir strong feelings. But misinformation only divides us. We invite all our neighbors — regardless of political beliefs — to engage respectfully, check facts before sharing them, and talk with us directly.

Free speech and civic action are cornerstones of American democracy. Exercising those rights peacefully makes Altamont stronger, not weaker.

Katie Fahrenkopf

Helderberg Indivisible

Altamont