Welcome to America! According to MPI the Migration Information Source, “The Statue of Liberty, long the symbol of America's rich immigrant heritage, calls out to many foreign-born individuals and families,” come one; come all to the land of opportunities and freedom! Immigration is not a new issue for our country, by far, but illegal immigration in the United States has dramatically increased over the years. The 2007 Economic Report of the President states in Chapter 9, entitled Immigration, “it is unofficially estimated that between 11 and 12 million foreign-born persons reside in the United States illegally; almost one-third of the total foreign-born population and about four percent of the total U.S. population.” There is no doubt that immigrants entering the United States workforce in great numbers during the twenty-first century greatly affected the wages, taxes, and employment rates of U.S. - born workers, but has it created a negative or positive impact on our society? The response to this question differs greatly depending on who is asked. Proponents of immigration believe regardless of citizenship, immigrants have little to no impact on wages, pay more in taxes than they use in services and have a positive affect on the employment opportunities of native born workers. However, opponents strongly disagree and believe illegal immigrants consume more in public services than they ever pay in taxes, drive down wages of U.S.- born workers by accepting lower wages which ultimately results in the unemployment of natives. Regardless of their impact on our society, what is the solution to the ever-increasing problem of illegal immigration? Immigrants are coming from many different countries to look for better jobs and eco... ... middle of paper ... ...f Economic Advisers. Washington: U.S. G.P.O., 2005. 93-116. 2005. Web. 7 July 2010. "Chapter 9: Immigration." Economic Report of the President: Transmitted to the Congress February 2007, Together with the Annual Report of the Council of Economic Advisers. Washington: U.S. G.P.O., 2007. 189-206. 2007. Web. 7 July 2010. Griswold, Daniel T. "Immigration Benefits America." Current Controversies: Immigration. Ed. Louise I. Gerdes. San Diego: Greenhaven P, 2005. Gale. Web. 14 July 2010. MPI. "A New Century: Immigration and the US." Migration Information Source. Feb. 2005. Web. 9 July 2010. Newman, Alex. “Immigration News Update.” The New American. (2009): 10-16. SIRS. Web. 2 July 2010. Tanner, Michael. "Immigration Does Not Increase Unemployment." Opposing Viewpoints: Population. Ed. Karen F. Balkin. San Diego: Greenhaven P, 2005. Gale. Web. 14 July 2010.
In the U. S today, the approximated population of undocumented immigrants stands at averagely 11 million. Therefore, this has created a hot debate in Congress about the action to take over the undocumented immigrants. Those opposed to illegal immigrants suggest that, their stay in the United States effects U.S citizens on the job market negatively . In addition, illegal immigrants are viewed in certain quarters as takers in the sense that illegal immigrants benefit more from public resources than the american-born citizens of the U.S. However, the reality is that immigrants contribute positively to the U.S economy and pay significantly into the system compared to what they send back home.
Kuttner, Robert. "Illegal Immigration: Would a National ID Card Help?" Business Week August 26, 1991.
It has been observed that, from history American has served as a destination for most immigrants in the world the world (Williams 16).
Nadadur, Ramanujan. “Illegal Immigration: A Positive Economic Contribution To The United Sates.” Journal Of Ethnic & Migration Studies 35.6 20090€: 1037-1052. Education Source. Web. 18 Apr. 2014.
First, immigrants come to the U.S. to work and bring valuable skills which help grow the economy despite the negative views surrounding their part in the U.S. economy. Since the 2008-2009 recession the view on immigration and its effects on the economy has been more negative than positive (Peri, 2012). A study done by Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government found that about 50 percent of American adults believe that immigrants burden the country because they, “take jobs, housing, and healthcare”, while the other 50 percent believe that, “immigrants strengthen the country due to their hard work and talents” (Delener & Ventilato, 2008). Over the past decade, “over half of the increase in the U.S. labor force,… was the result of immigration-l...
Many people have come to America for a better life and to get away from all the troubles of their homeland. These immigrants, like those throughout U.S. history, are generally hard workers and make important contributions to the economy through their productive labor and purchasing power. America is considered a melting pot of many diffrent ethinic group. Immigrants should be able to enter America with little if any resistance from any border patrol. Immigrants in america take the low paying, hard labor jobs that , unfortunately, some americans don't want.
Some would say, quotes John F. Kennedy, “Everywhere immigrants have enriched and strengthened the fabric of American life.” Thus, in today’s society, we can say that immigrants are what made America possible—economically and socially. We are in a melting pot era where the impossible was made possible. From the time John F. Kennedy was elected in 1960, making a promise to change the national origins system to unite the nations of all countries equally. Hence, in 1965, under Lyndon Johnson’s administration, Kennedy’s promise came into light, amending the INS—favoring unification of families, not national origins. Although, the unification was made possible, the peacefulness never lasted.
Gomez, Alan. “Illegal immigration levels off in ’10.” USA Today n.d. (02 February 2011): 02a. Academic Research Complete. Web. 25 March 2011.
Thompson, Art. “Illegal Immigration Hurts the Economy.” Opposing Viewpoints: Immigration. Eds. David M. Haugen, Susan Musser and Kacy Lovelace. Farmington Hills, MI: Greenhaven Press, 2009. 30-35. Print.
Erika, Lee. "U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Laws and Issues." Journal of American Ethnic History. Vol. 20. Issue 2 (2001): n. page. Web. 18 Apr. 2013.
Stern, Gary M. "Taking a Fresh Look at Illegal Immigrants and the Role they can Play in Restoring the American Economy." The Hispanic Outlook in Higher Education Nov 01 2010: 19-20. ProQuest. Web. 24 Nov. 2013 .
labor was scarce and relatively dear. A decline in the birthrate, as well as increases in
Lynch, R., & Oakford, P. (2013, March 30). The Economic Effects of Granting Legal Status and Citizenship to Undocumented Immigrants. American Progress. Retrieved July 2, 2014, from http://americanprogress.org/issues/immigration/report/2013/03/20/57351/the-economic-effects-of-granting-legal-status-and-citizenship-to-undocumented-immigrants/
...he squatter camps of the city which they are living. Moreover slums are also the source of all kinds of social evils such as drugs and prostitution because of the lowest security.
Haines, David W and Rosenblum, Karen E.: Illegal Immigration in America: A Reference Handbook. Westport, Conn: Greenwood Press. 1999. EBook. , Database: eBook Collection (EBSCOhost).