(CNN) The Republican Party gathered in Cleveland Monday for the first night of its convention, and CNN's Reality Check Team put the speakers' statements and assertions to the test.

The team of reporters, researchers and editors across CNN listened throughout the speeches and selected key statements, rating them true; mostly true; true, but misleading; false; or it's complicated.

Texas Rep. Michael McCaul

Reality Check: McCaul on Clinton's plans for borders, Syrian refugees

By Sonam Vashi, CNN

"Hillary Clinton is promising more of the same. Open borders, executive amnesty and the surge of Syrian refugees," said Mike McCaul, R-Texas, the chairman of the Homeland Security Commission.

Clinton's platform on immigration incorporates a pathway to citizenship and enforcing immigration laws, including deporting people who "pose a violent threat to public safety."

false. Clinton said in November that the US needs "to secure our borders. I'm for it, I voted for it, I believe in it, and we also need to deal with the families, the workers who are here, who have made contributions, and their children." She also said in March that the US has "done a really good job securing the border." Clinton's proposed policies and past rhetoric do not reflect open borders. That's

true, but misleading. Clinton does support President Barack Obama's executive actions on immigrations, called DACA and DAPA, which were recently blocked by a deadlocked decision from the Supreme Court. Those actions are often called "executive amnesty" by conservatives, although the programs would only give temporary status some undocumented workers, not permanent status. That's

true that Clinton supports a surge in Syrian refugees. Lastly, Clinton has advocated for a significant increase in the number of Syrian refugees. We've checked this claim a few times. In September, the White House announced it planned to admit 10,000 Syrian refugees this fiscal year, a significant bump at that point from the 1,500 refugees admitted since the start of the Syrian conflict in 2011. Shortly after, on CBS News' "Face the Nation," Clinton was asked if the current U.S. plan to increase the number of admitted Syrian refugees to 10,000 was enough. She replied, "I would like to see us move from what is a good start with 10,000 to 65,000 and begin immediately to put into place the mechanisms for vetting the people that we would take in." So, it'sthat Clinton supports a surge in Syrian refugees.

Alabama Sen. Jeff Sessions

Reality Check: Sessions on middle-class incomes

By Tami Luhby, CNN Money

Republicans have been knocking Obama and Clinton for the declining fortunes of middle-class Americans throughout this election cycle.

Speaking at the GOP convention on Monday evening, Sessions hit on this issue once again.

"Fellow Republicans, we must understand that the incomes of middle-class Americans today are $4,000 less per year than in 1999. This is an economic disaster. We're on the wrong track and the American people know it."

CNN's Reality Check Team looked into how middle-class Americans have fared in recent years.

Photos: The Republican National Convention Donald Trump, the Republican Party's presidential nominee, delivers a speech Thursday at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland. "I have had a truly great life in business," he said. "But now, my sole and exclusive mission is to go to work for our country -- to go to work for you. It's time to deliver a victory for the American people." Hide Caption 1 of 77 Photos: The Republican National Convention Trump is seen on screen as balloons fall from the ceiling of Quicken Loans Arena. Hide Caption 2 of 77 Photos: The Republican National Convention Trump's family joins him on stage along with the family of his running mate, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence. Hide Caption 3 of 77 Photos: The Republican National Convention Confetti falls at the end of Trump's acceptance speech. Hide Caption 4 of 77 Photos: The Republican National Convention Trump and Pence acknowledge the audience after Trump's speech. Hide Caption 5 of 77 Photos: The Republican National Convention Trump claps on stage with his wife, Melania. Hide Caption 6 of 77 Photos: The Republican National Convention The Trumps embrace on stage. Hide Caption 7 of 77 Photos: The Republican National Convention Trump hugs his son Barron after his address, which lasted well over an hour. Hide Caption 8 of 77 Photos: The Republican National Convention Trump, like many of the convention's speakers this week, went after Hillary Clinton, the Democratic Party's presumptive nominee. "Big business, elite media and major donors are lining up behind the campaign of my opponent because they know she will keep our rigged system in place," he said. "They are throwing money at her because they have total control over everything she does. She is their puppet, and they pull the strings." Hide Caption 9 of 77 Photos: The Republican National Convention Trump delivers his speech. Hide Caption 10 of 77 Photos: The Republican National Convention Trump said the United States will be a nation of "generosity and warmth" and "law and order." Hide Caption 11 of 77 Photos: The Republican National Convention A delegate listens to Trump's speech. Hide Caption 12 of 77 Photos: The Republican National Convention "Nobody knows the system better than me, which is why I alone can fix it," Trump said. "My message is that things have to change -- and they have to change right now." Hide Caption 13 of 77 Photos: The Republican National Convention Trump accepts the party's nomination as he begins his speech. Hide Caption 14 of 77 Photos: The Republican National Convention Trump's daughter Ivanka takes the stage Thursday before giving a speech introducing her father. Hide Caption 15 of 77 Photos: The Republican National Convention "This is the moment, and Donald Trump is the person to make America great again!" Ivanka Trump said to a big cheer. She called her father a fighter, saying now he will "fight for his country." Hide Caption 16 of 77 Photos: The Republican National Convention Peter Thiel, co-founder of PayPal, became the first openly gay person to speak the Republican National Convention. "I am proud to be gay," he told the crowd Thursday. "I am proud to be a Republican. But most of all I am proud to be an American." Hide Caption 17 of 77 Photos: The Republican National Convention Reince Priebus, chairman of the Republican National Committee, delivers a speech on Thursday. "We are the party of new ideas in a changing and faster world than ever before," he said. Hide Caption 18 of 77 Photos: The Republican National Convention Legendary basketball coach Bob Knight delivers a video message to the crowd at Quicken Loans Arena. Hide Caption 19 of 77 Photos: The Republican National Convention Motivational speaker Brock Mealer was among those who spoke on Thursday. Hide Caption 20 of 77 Photos: The Republican National Convention A delegate dressed as Hillary Clinton is accosted by another delegate on Thursday. Hide Caption 21 of 77 Photos: The Republican National Convention Delegates stand for the national anthem Thursday. Hide Caption 22 of 77 Photos: The Republican National Convention Young singer Heavenly Joy performs. Hide Caption 23 of 77 Photos: The Republican National Convention Trump gives a thumbs-up Wednesday after Pence gave his speech. Hide Caption 24 of 77 Photos: The Republican National Convention Trump gives an "air kiss" to Pence after Pence's speech. Hide Caption 25 of 77 Photos: The Republican National Convention Pence receives a kiss from his mother, Nancy, as his family joins him on stage after his speech. Hide Caption 26 of 77 Photos: The Republican National Convention Pence acknowledges the crowd as he walks on stage to deliver his speech. Hide Caption 27 of 77 Photos: The Republican National Convention "I'm a Christian, a conservative and a Republican, in that order," Pence told the crowd. Hide Caption 28 of 77 Photos: The Republican National Convention Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich delivers a speech on Wednesday. Hide Caption 29 of 77 Photos: The Republican National Convention Trump smiles on the floor of the convention on Wednesday. Hide Caption 30 of 77 Photos: The Republican National Convention Eric Trump, one of Donald Trump's sons, walks on stage to deliver a speech Wednesday. Hide Caption 31 of 77 Photos: The Republican National Convention Trump listens to his son's speech along with other members of his family on Wednesday. Hide Caption 32 of 77 Photos: The Republican National Convention Delegates shout on the floor of the arena on Wednesday. Hide Caption 33 of 77 Photos: The Republican National Convention U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, Trump's main adversary in the primaries, was booed at the end of his speech when it was clear he wasn't endorsing Trump. Cruz told people to "vote your conscience." Hide Caption 34 of 77 Photos: The Republican National Convention People react to Cruz's speech. Hide Caption 35 of 77 Photos: The Republican National Convention Cruz gives a thumbs-up as he walks off stage. Hide Caption 36 of 77 Photos: The Republican National Convention U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, another one of Trump's primary opponents, delivers a video message. Hide Caption 37 of 77 Photos: The Republican National Convention A delegate checks his phone at the arena. Hide Caption 38 of 77 Photos: The Republican National Convention Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker delivers a speech Wednesday. "A vote for anyone other than Donald Trump in November is a vote for Hillary Clinton," the former presidential candidate said. Hide Caption 39 of 77 Photos: The Republican National Convention Delegates hold up signs Wednesday. Hide Caption 40 of 77 Photos: The Republican National Convention Retired astronaut Eileen Collins waves to the crowd before delivering a speech Wednesday. Hide Caption 41 of 77 Photos: The Republican National Convention Trump addresses the crowd on Tuesday. "We're going to make America great again," he said in a video message shortly after winning the nomination. "Have a fantastic evening. I'll see you tomorrow night, I'll see you Thursday night, and we will win in November." Hide Caption 42 of 77 Photos: The Republican National Convention Ben Carson, a retired neurosurgeon and former presidential candidate, speaks on stage Tuesday. He said Trump skeptics who would vote for Hillary Clinton are "not using their God-given brain to think about what they're saying. ... She'll be appointing people who will have an effect on us for generations. And America may never recover." Hide Caption 43 of 77 Photos: The Republican National Convention A member of the activist group Code Pink protests inside the arena during Carson's speech. Hide Caption 44 of 77 Photos: The Republican National Convention Donald Trump Jr. delivers a speech Tuesday. "We need to elect a man who has a track record of accomplishing the impossible," he said of his father. Hide Caption 45 of 77 Photos: The Republican National Convention Members of the Trump family watch as Donald Trump Jr. gives his speech. Hide Caption 46 of 77 Photos: The Republican National Convention Donald Trump's daughter Tiffany addresses the crowd at Quicken Loans Arena. "Whatever (my father) does, he gives it all and does it well," she said on Tuesday. "His desire for excellence is contagious. He possesses a unique gift for bringing that out in others." Hide Caption 47 of 77 Photos: The Republican National Convention U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst waves as she stands with other first-term senators on Tuesday. Hide Caption 48 of 77 Photos: The Republican National Convention New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie delivers a speech that was heavily critical of the Democratic Party's presumptive nominee. "It is our obligation to stop Hillary Clinton now and never let her within 10 miles of the White House again," Christie said of the former secretary of state. "It is time to come together and make sure that Donald Trump is our next President. I am proud to be part of this team. Now let's go win this thing." Hide Caption 49 of 77 Photos: The Republican National Convention Delegates fill the floor of the arena on Tuesday. Hide Caption 50 of 77 Photos: The Republican National Convention Four of Donald Trump's children -- from left, Donald Trump Jr., Ivanka Trump, Eric Trump and Tiffany Trump -- celebrate on the floor of the convention, where Donald Trump Jr. announced the New York delegates that clinched the nomination for his father. Hide Caption 51 of 77 Photos: The Republican National Convention A delegate shows support for Donald Trump's wife, Melania, on Tuesday. Hide Caption 52 of 77 Photos: The Republican National Convention A delegate whistles as roll call votes are cast on Tuesday. Hide Caption 53 of 77 Photos: The Republican National Convention Delegates take a photo with Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant, center, on Tuesday. Hide Caption 54 of 77 Photos: The Republican National Convention A Florida delegate holds a "Hillary for prison" sign on the floor of the arena. Hide Caption 55 of 77 Photos: The Republican National Convention A convention attendee wears American-themed shoes on Tuesday. Hide Caption 56 of 77 Photos: The Republican National Convention House Speaker Paul Ryan bangs the gavel to open the second day of the convention on Tuesday. Hide Caption 57 of 77 Photos: The Republican National Convention Melania Trump kisses her husband, Donald, after she spoke Monday on the first day of the convention. "If you want someone to fight for you and your country, I can assure you, he's the guy," she said of her husband. "He will never, ever give up. And most importantly, he will never, ever let you down." Hide Caption 58 of 77 Photos: The Republican National Convention Donald Trump walks to his wife after she delivered her speech. Hide Caption 59 of 77 Photos: The Republican National Convention Melania Trump claps during her speech. Hide Caption 60 of 77 Photos: The Republican National Convention Donald Trump comes out to the song "We Are the Champions" before introducing his wife. Hide Caption 61 of 77 Photos: The Republican National Convention Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani delivered a fiery speech before Melania Trump. Among his topics was the fight against terrorists. "We know who you are, and we're coming to get you!" he said. Hide Caption 62 of 77 Photos: The Republican National Convention A protester flashes a peace sign on the floor of the convention on Monday. Hide Caption 63 of 77 Photos: The Republican National Convention Milwaukee County Sheriff David A. Clarke Jr. salutes the crowd before speaking Monday. He got huge applause when he started off his speech by saying, "Blue lives matter!" Hide Caption 64 of 77 Photos: The Republican National Convention Patricia Smith, mother of Benghazi victim Sean Smith, told the crowd in Cleveland, "I blame Hillary Clinton personally." Clinton, the Democratic Party's presumptive nominee, was secretary of state when the attack occurred in Libya in 2012. Hide Caption 65 of 77 Photos: The Republican National Convention President Barack Obama is seen on a screen as Smith leaves the stage Monday. Hide Caption 66 of 77 Photos: The Republican National Convention Marcus Luttrell, a former Navy SEAL who was awarded the Navy Cross for his service in Afghanistan, spoke about the need for an elite military. The convention's theme for Monday was "Make America Safe Again." Hide Caption 67 of 77 Photos: The Republican National Convention Actor Scott Baio gives two thumbs up during his speech on Monday. "Let's not just make America great again," he said, referring to Trump's campaign slogan. "Let's make America America again!" Hide Caption 68 of 77 Photos: The Republican National Convention Willie Robertson, star of the hit TV show "Duck Dynasty," promised the crowd that Trump "will have your back." Hide Caption 69 of 77 Photos: The Republican National Convention Former U.S. Sen. Bob Dole, the GOP's presidential nominee in 1996, waves after listening to a speech on Monday. Hide Caption 70 of 77 Photos: The Republican National Convention Marlana VanHoose performs the national anthem prior to Monday's evening session. Hide Caption 71 of 77 Photos: The Republican National Convention Former Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli, center, was among the delegates shouting for a roll call vote Monday on the rules of the Republican National Convention. GOP officials dismissed the move, saying there were not enough signatures to force a roll call vote. While it's unlikely a roll call vote would have rejected the rules package, it could have been an embarrassing protest vote against Trump and the Republican National Committee. Hide Caption 72 of 77 Photos: The Republican National Convention Virginia delegate Waverly Woods protests on the floor of the convention. Hide Caption 73 of 77 Photos: The Republican National Convention Delegates from Texas protest. Hide Caption 74 of 77 Photos: The Republican National Convention Reince Priebus, chairman of the Republican National Committee, bangs a gavel as resolutions are adopted at the start of the convention. Hide Caption 75 of 77 Photos: The Republican National Convention Delegates stand and turn toward the camera for an official photo on Monday. Hide Caption 76 of 77 Photos: The Republican National Convention People walk in front of a screen displaying the American flag. Hide Caption 77 of 77

It's true that median household income was $4,186 lower in 2014, the latest figure available, than it was in 1999, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

However, that time period encompasses the administrations of both George W. Bush and Obama. Incomes declined more under Bush, a Republican, than under Obama.

In 2000, just before Bush took office, median income stood at $57,724. By 2008, the last year of his term, it had declined $2,411 to $55,313, due in part to the Great Recession.

By 2014, median income was at $53,657, or $1,656 lower than it was just before Obama's administration began.

We rate Session's statement as true, but misleading, because he implies that Obama administration bears the sole responsibility.

Reality Check: Sessions on new jobs going to immigrants

By Tami Luhby, CNN Money

Immigration is one of the hot button topics in this year's election.

Sessions stirred the flames in his Monday speech, saying that immigrants have taken all the jobs created in recent years.

"From 2000 to 2014, while our existing population increased by millions, the number of jobs held by Americans actually declined. Amazingly, all the net job growth during that period went to immigrants," he said.

Sessions is citing a 2014 report by the Center for Immigration Studies, which advocates curbing immigration to the US. The report says there are 5.7 million more immigrants with jobs than there were in 2000, while the number of native-born Americans, ages 16 to 65, with jobs declined by 127,000. It is based on Bureau of Labor Statistics data.

The center, however, is looking at the change in employment for workers in a specific age range, 16 to 65. In a footnote, the center points out that expanding the range to all workers 16 and up, which includes older workers, native-born employment grew by 2.6 million.

Therefore, Sessions' statement that immigrants have taken all the jobs is false.

Colorado Senate candidate Darryl Glenn

Reality Check: Glenn on racial divisions, neighborhood safety

By Sonam Vashi, CNN

Glenn, a Colorado Senate candidate, made a few assertions about Obama.

"We're more racially divided today than before he ran," Glenn said.

Still referring to Obama, he went on to say, "Here's some more facts, Mr. President: Neighborhoods have become more violent under your watch."

There have been a number of polls surveying America's racial climate. A recent Pew Research Center survey found that about 61% of black people polled said race relations were generally bad, compared with 45% of white people (and a similar percent of white people said race relations were generally good). The New York Times and other polls have shown similar trends.

In 2008, Pew reported that 52% of Americans thought race relations would get better with Obama's election as President, including 75% of black respondents and 49% of white respondents.

Pew's recent findings indicate that 34% of Americans think the President has made progress on improving race relations, while 28% think he has tried but failed to make progress, and 25% think Obama has made race relations worse.

The optimism Americans felt on race following Obama's election has evidently dwindled, although at least one major survey finds that it's unclear whether Americans feel that it is the fault of the President or not. We rate that part of Glenn's claim as true, but misleading.

false. Glenn also said American neighborhoods have become more violent since Obama has been in office. According to the most recent FBI data , violent crime across the nation has decreased since 2008. The violent crime rate (or the number of violent crime offenses divided by the U.S. population) was 458.6 in 2008 and 365.5 in 2014 -- a 20% decrease. Glenn's assertion here is

Wisconsin Sheriff David Clarke

Reality Check: Clarke on Americans' worried about crime and violence

By Chip Grabow, CNN

Clarke said America cannot be great if Americans don't feel safe in their homes, their streets and their communities. He said, "a recent Gallup poll confirms it. More than half of all Americans now worry a great deal about crime and violence, up consistently and dramatically from just a few years ago."

JUST WATCHED Monday night at the RNC in 90 seconds Replay More Videos ... MUST WATCH Monday night at the RNC in 90 seconds 01:30

A Gallup poll from March cites the percentage of Americans who worry "a great deal" about crime and violence at 53%. It was an increase of 14 percentage points since 2014. The poll said that "level of concern about crime and violence was at its highest point in 15 years."

The public's fear of crime, as the Gallup poll data shows, may be on the rise.

But all that fear has been coming during a period when crime is actually declining. According to data from the FBI, the violent crime rate has declined 27.6% from 2001 to 2014.

Verdict: True, but misleading.

Patricia Smith, mother of Benghazi victim Sean Smith

Reality Check: Security at Benghazi mission

By Eve Bower, CNN

Patricia Smith made a deeply emotional speech about her connection to the September 11, 2012, attack on a United States diplomatic mission in Benghazi, Libya.

Smith's son, Sean, was an employee of the US Foreign Service and was killed in the attack. The circumstances that gave rise to the attack, and the way communication about the attack was handled afterward, have become enduring controversies for Clinton, who was secretary of state at the time.

From the convention podium, Smith placed the blame for her son's death squarely on Clinton, saying, the night before the attack, Smith's son told her "all security had been pulled from the embassy," but "when he asked why, he never received a response."

Smith's blame for Clinton is not substantiated by testimony and reports investigating the run-up to the attack.

In fact, there have been nine separate investigations into what happened at that compound. Seven have been nonpartisan; one was led by House Republicans; and one was led by the State Department. None of them have found Clinton to be at fault. Here's the list:

The House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform;

The Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs;

The Senate Select Committee on Intelligence;

The House Committee on Foreign Affairs;

The House Committee on the Judiciary;

The House Committee on Armed Services;

The House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence;

The House Select Committee on Benghazi;

The State Department's Accountability Review Board

The House Select Committee on Benghazi's report, released last month, noted that in early August 2012, the mission had 34 security staff. By the end of the month -- some two weeks before the attack -- there were just six. During the committee's hearings last year, Kansas Republican Rep. Mike Pompeo estimated that there were about 600 requests or concerns raised about security at the Benghazi facility.

Clinton herself acknowledged these in her testimony before the committee. She said "a number of" requests for security were made, but that those requests never crossed her desk.

The investigatory board deemed the State Department responsible for not adequately responding to security concerns, but found no evidence that Clinton was directly responsible for the inadequate response.

Smith also said she was unsatisfied with the explanations for her son's death, claiming a discrepancy between a leaked email Clinton sent to her daughter, calling the attack terrorism, and what Smith said Clinton told her at her son's coffin ceremony, that "a video was responsible." Smith said, "She lied to me and then called me a liar."

JUST WATCHED Mom of Benghazi victim: I blame Hillary for son's death Replay More Videos ... MUST WATCH Mom of Benghazi victim: I blame Hillary for son's death 05:07

The "video" Smith mentioned was an inflammatory video made in the US, backed by anti-Islam groups, and uploaded to YouTube in the weeks before the attack.

When asked about the conversation in late 2015, Clinton told a New Hampshire paper that she did not tell the families anything about the video, attributing the varying accounts of words exchanged that day to "the fog of war."

The conversations that took place at that private ceremony were not recorded, and Smith's description of events varies from Clinton's. To make matters murkier, there are others present at the ceremony who support Smith's and Clinton's versions, respectively.

In a public statement Clinton made three days after the attack, she said, "We've seen rage and violence directed at American embassies over an awful Internet video," but in that statement, she did not directly cite that video as the cause of the attack.

Because Clinton's role in the attack in Benghazi has been thoroughly investigated and she has been cleared of wrongdoing, we find Smith's claim of culpability false.

Because we do not know the contents of a private conversation -- a conversation in which each party has given a different version of events -- we rate Smith's claim about being called a liar it's complicated.

Retired Army Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn

Reality Check: Flynn on Obama's 'red line' on Syria

By Ryan Browne, CNN National Security Producer

Flynn, who was often floated as a potential running mate for Trump, slammed the Obama administration Monday, saying, "a commander in chief does not draw 'red-lines' and then retreat."

Flynn was referring to Obama's well-known warning during the open stages of the Syrian Civil War where he said, "We have been very clear to the Assad regime -- but also to other players on the ground -- that a red line for us is we start seeing a whole bunch of chemical weapons moving around or being utilized."

"That would change my calculus; that would change my equation," Obama added.

At the time, Flynn headed the Defense Intelligence Agency.

Assad would eventually use chemical weapons against rebel forces, something Obama called "an assault on human dignity," adding that failure to use force "in retaliation could lead to escalating use of chemical weapons or their proliferation to terrorist groups who would do our people harm. In a world with many dangers, this menace must be confronted."

However, after initially considering retaliatory airstrikes but failing to gain approval from a Republican-controlled Congress, Obama opted to scrap the attack plan. He opted later to pursue a Russian diplomatic proposal to remove the chemical stockpiles.

Obama told The Atlantic's Jeffrey Goldberg in an April interview it was "as tough a decision as I've made -- and I believe ultimately it was the right decision to make."

The President did abandon airstrikes after initially mobilizing his national security apparatus and military to penalize the Assad campaign for its use of chemical weapons.

Verdict: True.

Iowa Sen. Joni Ernst

Reality Check: Ernst on ISIS in all 50 states

By Chip Grabow, CNN

Criticizing the Obama administration's track record fighting ISIS, Ernst said the terrorist group's threat is not limited to the Middle East, but is spreading. "Terrorists from ISIS are in every one of our 50 states," Ernst said.

Is it that widespread?

During testimony given in October to the House Homeland Security Committee, FBI Director James Comey described how ISIS attempts to lure new recruits abroad. "ISIL has used the ubiquitous social media to break the model and push into the United States on the mobile devices of troubled souls in all 50 states a twin message: come or kill," Comey said. He went on to say the FBI had an estimated 900 investigations against homegrown violent extremists, the majority being ISIS-related.

In other comments made last year, Comey said the FBI has found ISIS leaders communicating with potential recruits in all 50 states. He told the National Association of Attorneys General, "We have investigations of people in various stages of radicalizing in all 50 states."

While the FBI may have terror investigations in all 50 states, many of which are related to suspected ISIS sympathizers, there have been arrests of ISIS sympathizers in just 24 states, and Ernst didn't provide any evidence that there are ISIS terrorists in all 50 states. Therefore, we judge her statement false.