(no subject)
Caitlin Kern
Economics Hour 3
Sheehan
1/10/2007
Immigration Essay
It has been argued for a long period of time whether immigrants are an asset or burden to the United States. In this essay, I plan to show that the arguments against immigration such as social costs and labor markets, are not completely correct. I will also explain the benefits to immigration, and in the process show that the benefits outweigh the negativities thought to occur with increased immigration to the United States.
Economists have argued that immigrants have been a burden on society because they will work for lower wages than American citizens. They do, however pay the same taxes as any other citizen. These taxes are used to support social services used by everyone such as schooling. Also, about $7 billion of these taxes are used to support Social Security which, as immigrants, they aren’t entitled to (1). This amount is also more than they use in government services (2). Some immigrants do get paid in cash, however, which can exclude them from having to pay taxes. Although they are not contributing to the Social Security fund, they will never see benefits either. Interviews done by the Connection Newspaper (3) report that immigrants would rather pay those taxes because it gives them more respect from United State’s Citizens. They also reported that many who do not pay taxes are simply unaware that everyone that makes an income in the United States is supposed to.
Immigrants, in fact have positive social costs. Take Washington D.C. for example. Washington D.C. has a very high outlook for white collar jobs and a high outlook for blue collar jobs. Private sector jobs are increasing dramatically. All of the jobs that are made by the government and many other business makes it almost impossible for Washington D.C. to go into a recession. Washington D.C. holds much of the United State’s spending power because it is not only the capital, but because of all of the businesses located within the city. The costs of living for food and other essentials are much like that of the United States overall (4). This all shows that Washington D.C. has a strong economy. About 20% of the population in D.C. consists of immigrants. Washington D.C. is just one example, but immigrants contribute to both high and low income paying jobs throughout the United States. Many of the United State’s most accredited scientists are foreign, about 56% according to “CRS Report for Congress: Foreign Science and Engineering Presence in U.S. Institutions and the Labor Force.” As reported in the 2000 census, immigrants contribute 10,033165 people to the work force and over 27,835 people into the armed forces. You can also compare the annual income of immigrants to citizens in the United States. The average income for one person in the United States is about $27,000 (5) and over 60% of immigrants are making over $25,000 for an average income (5). This also means that a lot of immigrants are making well over the average. As you can see, immigrants are not a social burden and by looking at Washington D.C. for an example, are actually an asset to the economy.
There are many benefits that economies such as the one in Washington D.C. experience because of their population of immigrants. The Hispanic and Asian-American cultures not only finance over 12% of our nations purchases, but also provide middle class citizens with many products and services (3). Their businesses not only attract customers who are citizens, but also customers from their own country of origin which increases business. Although immigrants hold a lot of purchasing power in the United States, economists argue that they are a burden to the society because they lower wages and standards in the work place. As I have already stated, many immigrants are working high income jobs and industries such as the science industry is highly populated in foreign workers. In a survey of 784 immigrants done by the Kaiser Family Foundation (6), 71% said that they believe that they work harder than their co-workers and 61% also said that they were unfairly discriminated against. The majority, 71% were unaware of cultural aspects in the United States such as woman’s rights and treatment of the poor. About 3 out of every 10 immigrants say that they are discriminated against while on the job. This could disprove the argument that immigrants are lowering the job wages. The discrimination they face and lack of knowledge about American culture could mean that they do not feel that they can ask for better working conditions or wages. Many companies also hire undocumented immigrants because they can threaten deportation and keep working conditions to a minimum. I think that this could be fixed by giving immigrants more rights in the work place.
As you can see, immigration is not a bad thing for the United States. In fact, it helps our economy in many ways such as more people in the work place and armed forces. As well as extra tax dollars that will benefit all citizens. The major social costs that are so controversial concern income and job standards that are set because of an immigrant’s dependency on working and also because of their lack of understanding the American culture. This problem can be fixed by giving more rights to immigrants. I believe that they deserve these rights because once they begin working here, the benefits definitely outweigh the disadvantages.
Caitlin Kern
Economics Hour 3
Sheehan
1/10/2007
Immigration Essay
Porter, "Undocumented Immigrants: Myths and Reality." Civilrights.org.
01 Nov 2005. LCCR and LCCREF. 10 Jan 2007 .
2. Traub, Amy. "Principles for an Immigration Policy to Strengthen and Expand the American Middle Class ." Civilrights.org. 02 Dec 2005. LCCR and LCCREF. 10 Jan 2007
.
3. Krischke, Scott. “Immigrants Pave Way With Taxes.” Connection Newspaper. July 20, 2006.
4. Washington D.C. Economy
5. "Economic Status Briefing Room." ESBR: Income. 30 Jan 2006. The White House. 10 Jan 2007
.
6. "Census." 2000. 10 Jan 2007
.
7. Immigration Study. 02 Aug 2004. Kaiser Family Foundation. 10 Jan 2007 .
Economics Hour 3
Sheehan
1/10/2007
Immigration Essay
It has been argued for a long period of time whether immigrants are an asset or burden to the United States. In this essay, I plan to show that the arguments against immigration such as social costs and labor markets, are not completely correct. I will also explain the benefits to immigration, and in the process show that the benefits outweigh the negativities thought to occur with increased immigration to the United States.
Economists have argued that immigrants have been a burden on society because they will work for lower wages than American citizens. They do, however pay the same taxes as any other citizen. These taxes are used to support social services used by everyone such as schooling. Also, about $7 billion of these taxes are used to support Social Security which, as immigrants, they aren’t entitled to (1). This amount is also more than they use in government services (2). Some immigrants do get paid in cash, however, which can exclude them from having to pay taxes. Although they are not contributing to the Social Security fund, they will never see benefits either. Interviews done by the Connection Newspaper (3) report that immigrants would rather pay those taxes because it gives them more respect from United State’s Citizens. They also reported that many who do not pay taxes are simply unaware that everyone that makes an income in the United States is supposed to.
Immigrants, in fact have positive social costs. Take Washington D.C. for example. Washington D.C. has a very high outlook for white collar jobs and a high outlook for blue collar jobs. Private sector jobs are increasing dramatically. All of the jobs that are made by the government and many other business makes it almost impossible for Washington D.C. to go into a recession. Washington D.C. holds much of the United State’s spending power because it is not only the capital, but because of all of the businesses located within the city. The costs of living for food and other essentials are much like that of the United States overall (4). This all shows that Washington D.C. has a strong economy. About 20% of the population in D.C. consists of immigrants. Washington D.C. is just one example, but immigrants contribute to both high and low income paying jobs throughout the United States. Many of the United State’s most accredited scientists are foreign, about 56% according to “CRS Report for Congress: Foreign Science and Engineering Presence in U.S. Institutions and the Labor Force.” As reported in the 2000 census, immigrants contribute 10,033165 people to the work force and over 27,835 people into the armed forces. You can also compare the annual income of immigrants to citizens in the United States. The average income for one person in the United States is about $27,000 (5) and over 60% of immigrants are making over $25,000 for an average income (5). This also means that a lot of immigrants are making well over the average. As you can see, immigrants are not a social burden and by looking at Washington D.C. for an example, are actually an asset to the economy.
There are many benefits that economies such as the one in Washington D.C. experience because of their population of immigrants. The Hispanic and Asian-American cultures not only finance over 12% of our nations purchases, but also provide middle class citizens with many products and services (3). Their businesses not only attract customers who are citizens, but also customers from their own country of origin which increases business. Although immigrants hold a lot of purchasing power in the United States, economists argue that they are a burden to the society because they lower wages and standards in the work place. As I have already stated, many immigrants are working high income jobs and industries such as the science industry is highly populated in foreign workers. In a survey of 784 immigrants done by the Kaiser Family Foundation (6), 71% said that they believe that they work harder than their co-workers and 61% also said that they were unfairly discriminated against. The majority, 71% were unaware of cultural aspects in the United States such as woman’s rights and treatment of the poor. About 3 out of every 10 immigrants say that they are discriminated against while on the job. This could disprove the argument that immigrants are lowering the job wages. The discrimination they face and lack of knowledge about American culture could mean that they do not feel that they can ask for better working conditions or wages. Many companies also hire undocumented immigrants because they can threaten deportation and keep working conditions to a minimum. I think that this could be fixed by giving immigrants more rights in the work place.
As you can see, immigration is not a bad thing for the United States. In fact, it helps our economy in many ways such as more people in the work place and armed forces. As well as extra tax dollars that will benefit all citizens. The major social costs that are so controversial concern income and job standards that are set because of an immigrant’s dependency on working and also because of their lack of understanding the American culture. This problem can be fixed by giving more rights to immigrants. I believe that they deserve these rights because once they begin working here, the benefits definitely outweigh the disadvantages.
Caitlin Kern
Economics Hour 3
Sheehan
1/10/2007
Immigration Essay
Porter, "Undocumented Immigrants: Myths and Reality." Civilrights.org.
01 Nov 2005. LCCR and LCCREF. 10 Jan 2007 .
2. Traub, Amy. "Principles for an Immigration Policy to Strengthen and Expand the American Middle Class ." Civilrights.org. 02 Dec 2005. LCCR and LCCREF. 10 Jan 2007
.
3. Krischke, Scott. “Immigrants Pave Way With Taxes.” Connection Newspaper. July 20, 2006.
4. Washington D.C. Economy
5. "Economic Status Briefing Room." ESBR: Income. 30 Jan 2006. The White House. 10 Jan 2007
.
6. "Census." 2000. 10 Jan 2007
.
7. Immigration Study. 02 Aug 2004. Kaiser Family Foundation. 10 Jan 2007 .