Essay/Term paper: Immigration and the economy

Essay, term paper, research paper:  Business

Immigration does not hurt the Economy



Since the founding of the U.S. more than 200 years ago, people have come here from every country on earth. Whether it be escaping an oppressive government, or just to find a general better way of life, people immigrate to the United States. Some people say that when an immigrant comes here, they are not used to our way of life, and therefore throw off our way of life and economy. They say that they cause more harm to the stable, tax-paying citizens of the U.S. then they do good. I disagree with these people for a few reasons. Although immigrants may cause a few problems, and might not want to immediately comply with our standards and laws, most in time do. Except for a few short-term problems, such as not paying their taxes, drawing on welfare, and increasing an already crowded society, immigrants eventually do more good for our society and economy than bad.

First off, the government is losing money on immigrants, especially ones that enter illegally. They either do not pay their taxes at all, or pay them incorrectly. This is a problem that affects everyone, not just immigrants. They might not pay those taxes, and receive wages under the table, but those under the table jobs can come in handy for the rest of us. How many U.S. born teenagers would be privileged to get paid two or three dollars an hour to take out the trash and clean toilets. Those might be jobs that they are using up that could go to native-born Americans, but do we really want them? Plus, they are "Americanizing" themselves to be better citizens. What a better way to get used to living here, and become a good, tax-paying person, than to work here, and constantly be around U.S. I myself feel that by teaching the Spanish only speaking bus boy English at my work, I am helping him become more American. They are working for a better life. The few that bend the rules on the path to becoming American shouldn't be punished. Think of when your ancestors immigrated. Do you think that they bent a few rules?

Next off is welfare, and the people that abuse it. There are people that come here from another country with no experience, and many children. These people, if accepted as citizens, are entitled to welfare. Those kinds of people are draining over 2 billion dollars from welfare each year (Topolnicki 224). However, once those people get adjusted to our way of living, and get out in the world, they can become very productive members of society. Welfare is, in a large way, to provide for children as well, and raising children in a U.S. environment can only strengthen the economy. On average immigrants dump around 30 billion more into the U.S. economy than they siphon from government programs such as welfare (Topolnicki 226).

Lastly, immigrants count for a large portion of the population increase in the U.S. Except for lack of jobs, I can see this only as a benefit. To introduce varied, life seeking people into an environment can only make it stronger in the long run. They mix with the current population creating diversity. While racism is still a big issue in society, it is obviously decreasing. As I look around, out of 10 people, I see three Latin-Americans, four inidian/arabians, one African-American, and two other white people. This diversification has created a better and more open-minded society to live in. These people are in college with me, hoping to one day be good honest, law abiding tax payers, just like Uncle Sam wants them to be. I don't see what is wrong with a little change in population, as long as the population wants to work hard to make their lives better, as well as increase the economy. One more plus to these non-native born Americans. They have not had the chance to become lazy yet, and many bring with them an idea to work unusually hard.

In conclusion, although there are some short term problems associated with allowing immigrants into our society, they do not do harm to our society, or our economy. The benefits gained by a rational super-power country, by allowing entrance from all parts of the world is so great that it overrides any harm done by a small percentage of the others. The sign in New York still says "Give us your poor, your tired, your huddled masses, yearning to be free." To hold the freedom for just us would be greedy. They might not pay all their taxes, and they might be a burden, 9% for immigrants, on welfare, but they are all striving to improve the economy, whether they know it or not.