The American Dream: Unauthorized Immigration

The last 10 years of U.S. economy can be seen by the impact of immigrant reform in different scenarios. In 2013, undocumented immigrants have been granted legal status; citizenship has helped to increase the U.S. GDP and would accumulate by an additional $1.4 trillion compared to the 10 years in between the 2013 to 2022. This earning will give a chance for the Americans some additional earnings of $791 billion at the same period as a personal income, in which the economy would create job opportunities, about 203,000 new jobs per year. In these years the undocumented immigrants will earn about 25.1 percent more than the current earnings of the immigrants. These earnings show that they will be contributing significantly to the federal, local, and state taxes which will add to tax revenue in 10 years with $185 billion to $116 billion for the USA federal government as well as $68 billion to the state and local government (Stuart Anderson,2011).

The impact of immigration is a highly controversial topic that gets touched on with the media outlets frequently. With the development of newfound criticism and the rise of popular slogans such as “Immigrants take Jobs,” immigration has become an increasingly prominent economic topic that contains multiple viewpoints and requires discussion. Many economics have noted that alterations in immigration impact a variety of economic policies that make it virtually impossible to make conclusive models on both it’s short-term and long-term effects. Yet, there seems to be agreement that rapid changes such as the ones occurring in our country right now may lead to a decline in economic growth. Therefore, as proposals of reducing legal immigration increase, it has become necessary to view immigration as a serious fiscal issue, that although on the surface may seem to solve a plethora of problems, really doesn’t.

Is it Myth or Reality that immigrants influence our employment? Americans are increasingly concerned about immigration reform; many Americans believe that immigrants are taking employment opportunities away from U.S citizens. Few studies have proven that hiring immigrants has an impact on wages and employment opportunities. Immigrants not only increase the supply of labor but; they also increase the demand for skilled labor. Creating, a Successful Temporary Worker Program that benefits the employee and employer. “A temporary worker program would meet the legitimate needs of American employers. And it would give honest immigrants a way to provide for their families while respecting the laws” (Bush, 2006). The policy will provide a successful worker program for documented workers that pass criminal background checks, meeting a certain criteria to be eligible for a temporary work permit. Upon passing the

Illegal immigrants help boost the United States economy by paying some taxes. Like American citizens, illegal immigrants may pay local, state, and federal taxes including sales tax that helps support government services that they may not be able to access (Ewing 9). Since more American citizens are becoming aware of the benefits of an education, openings are being created for illegal immigrants in low paying jobs (Nadadur 1037-1052). Americans, unlike illegal immigrants, have more diverse careers. Aliens are more concentrated in specific job areas, resulting in a decrease in immigrant labor cost. This helps boost the United States’ economy (Carter 777-795). Of the approximate eleven million illegal immigrants in the U.S., most work in labor intensive jobs. Careers such as construction and agriculture tend to attract illegal aliens and they account for about twenty-five percent of the work force in these areas (Ewing 9). Ben Bernanke, chairman of the Federal Reserve admits that illegal immigrants help improve the United States economy and does not suggest turning them away (qtd. in Quindlen 90). Anna Quindlen, in her article “Newcomers By Numbers,” agrees with Bernanke and believes that immigrants are the factor that helps keep prices low. She also adds that immigrants are not causing American citizens unemployment, but are simply taking the low wage jobs that citizens are not willing to do and even boosting the economy (90).

The influx of the illegal immigrants over the past decade has become more noticeable issue in the United States. Some consider the illegal immigrants are the real social and financial burden for the U.S. and demand strict resolute policies to be implemented for them. Others state that in case of deportation of the undocumented immigrants, such as farm workers or specialists in construction and hospitality spheres, there will appear a huge labor shortage with the following economic fall-out. The following paper examines the existing state of the illegal immigrants and their contribution and impact on the economy of the U.S.

Illegal immigration in United States is violation of U.S immigration laws by foreign nationalists who enter the country without government permission like visa or, remain within the country after lawful admittance beyond the period of authorized admission. This paper explains if illegal immigrants hurt the economy, job market, and public services like school and hospitals. Immigrants to US do not hurt the economy. In a perspective article, Davila (2006) insists that immigration can indeed be good for businesses. The reason why it is good for businesses because immigration supplies labor at a relatively low cost, though the real concern is how often that immigrants are paid low wages (Davila, 2006).

Immigration rates in the U.S. are at their highest, and the number of immigrants is overwhelming the nation’s economy. Immigration is impacting the relative wages of a lot of workers. According to an article on “Global Issues”, “the last 50 years [in the United States] has seen an almost doubling of immigration” (Anup Shah, 2016). This is also supported by the number of immigrants that are currently apart of the U.S. population. In 2017 United States immigration statistics report, it has been shown that “20% (approximately 38 million) [of the

International migration has affected the economy in the United States in numerous ways through race. Min Zhou demonstrates the fact that international migrants, especially undocumented Mexicans are affecting the economy because they are taking minimum wage jobs. Zhou significantly states, “Blue collar jobs…available for newly immigrants… are disappearing at a particular rapid rate, resulting in expanding classes of poor and rich and a shrinking middle class”. Revealing that there is an increase in poverty because more and more undocumented immigrants are

The American Dream became established during the time that immigration was increasing. Once people entered the new society, these Americans strived to attain the whole American Dream lifestyle because it offered wealth and individuality. In order to pursue this way of life, it required hard work and time. With so many job opportunities available, those who wanted more for themselves had the chance to go and attain it. After all the hard work they completed, living the dream became a reality. Though the whole American Dream was established decades ago, people still apply it to their lives today and to fulfill this dream, it requires money. Having money allows people to ensure more than their needs, but also to fund their wants. For example,

If the myth implies vain imaginings, then the dreams is unfulfilled ideas, which express a kind of determination and belief. The so-called “American dream” is an idea that as long as in the United States through unremitting hard work will be able to get a better life. In another words is that people must succeed through their own hard work, courage, wisdom, creativity and determination, rather than relying on specific social class and the others’ help. The American Dream is the American pursuit of a better society, and is a microcosm of American culture. United States for immigrants from around the world to provide equality of opportunity for them to achieve their dreams. Everyone can be successful as long as they work harder.

It has steadily been ingrained in modern American culture that if you work hard, you can achieve what is known as the “American Dream”, which is basically living in nice conditions and being financially secure. Many of people from all parts of the world and all walks of life have believed in this idea, only to have worked like a dog and lied to their whole lives. Take it from the 1930s, where people were given the illusion that if you buy on credit and buy stocks on margin that you too could achieve the “dream”, only to have the economy crash and have millions of people be the poorest they have ever been. With this being said, the “American Dream” isn’t alive because if it was, there would be a countless amount of rich people in this country, and also because many American immigrants were not given fair treatment.

When it comes to the topic of U.S. immigration, most of us will readily agree that it’s one of the most crucial issues. Where this agreement usually ends, however, is on the question of how does actually immigration influence U.S. economy. Whereas some are convinced that immigration induces damage to the economy, others maintain that it’s possible to derive any benefit from growing number of immigrants.

The topic of immigration is often viewed negatively among some people. The immigration policy has become highly spoken about of whether it’s a good or bad thing. While some debate that immigration has taken a toll on economics, research analysis prove that immigrants have not reduced jobs or wages of American citizens. In many cases, they seem to accentuate the work of Americans. Ultimately, immigrants help increase the demand of goods which leads to more jobs and businesses being generated.

For many decades, immigration laws and reforms has become more and more complex due to the diverse impacts immigrants contribute in a society. Analyzing, comparing and contrasting the texts, “The Border” by Ross Douthat and Jenny Woodson, and “Obama’s Next Act: Immigration Reforms” by Chris Farrell, both texts address the issues dealing with illegal immigrants and their impacts to the economy by stating their claims, warrant, and evidences.

Immigration law enforcement in the United States remains ambivalent even now. The population of illegal migrants continues to threaten that of U.S. citizens and legal immigrants despite the federal government’s efforts: stricter border security, increased penalties, and internet-based verification systems (Jost). The lack of reduction in their numbers has a major impact on the economy of America; it distorts conventional employment, distribution of wages and displacement of jobs in the labor market. However, illegal immigrants do not only affect the country’s economy and local workers; their unlawful decision ironically harms them as well. The large population may lead one to think being undocumented has more benefits than liabilities,