In the United States, the economy
changes constantly and the immigration reform is something that may make or
break the economic crisis. In today’s society, the job availability is known as
something that has become scarce within the last few years. Some may associate
this with the fact that immigration that has increased dramatically in the 1990s
and there is now more competition than ever before. In the same way, some associate
the change in unemployment, for the better, with the legalization of the
immigrants who reside in the United States. If the two sides of the arguments
were put side by side, they each have valid points. But just like they both have
valid points, they both go head to head in regards to the passing of the
immigration reform.
Since the last immigration reform,
which was passed in 1986 with the Immigration Reform and Control Act, three million illegal
immigrants were granted amnesty. There was a “general” legalization program in which
1.7 billion of these individuals chose to go by; while the other 1.3 million
went through another legalization program called “Special Agricultural Workers”
program. With the passing of this reform, these individuals who were settling
for low paying jobs due to their immigration status were able to find a better
paying job which meant their income tax deduction was higher, if they ever had
any deducted at all before. With the higher deduction of income tax, this means
more money is flowing and the economy benefits from this. Not only that, but if
their income is higher, they are more likely to spend more, and contribute to the
economy. Not to mention the amount of money these individuals will be required
to pay when applying for this amnesty.
Boost on American Economy. Graph by: Travis Waldrone
But just like there are some good
things that come along with this reform, there are also bad. The passing of the
Immigration Reform and Control Act, although granted amnesty to many
immigrants, it also caused the rise in illegal immigration to shoot up dramatically.
With the rise in illegal immigration, the government felt the need to place stronger
patrolling along the Mexican border to try and lower. Because of this, the budget for the border patrols has went up dramatically
when the money spent there could be used in something that would benefit the citizens
on the United States. Once these individuals arrive in the United States they
are undocumented, but need to work, so when they are hired they are receiving their
paycheck what some call “under the table;” this means that they are not having
income tax deducted from their pay and do not report taxes. This is what hurts
out economy, they are not contributing but are receiving benefits that come
from everyone who is reporting their taxes; and examples of the many benefits
include the roads and public education. There are many immigrants who are
unskilled and in need for work because in order to be hired everyone must
present legal documentation, this has also increased poverty in the United States.
Picture by : Matt Sledge
Since this topic can be very bias,
it is important to hear both sides of each argument. In an interview conducted,
two different people were asked the same question with, of course, very different
outcome. Gloria is an immigrant who works and reports taxes, but understands
the struggle illegal immigrants go through because of discrimination and agrees
that a reform is what the country needs. Amy is an American citizen who does
not agree with illegal immigration and does not believe the immigration reform
should pass.
How do you believe the immigration
reform would benefit the economy?
·
Gloria : I think the
reform would bring in a lot of money because in order for the immigrants to receive
amnesty the price for the forms to be review must be paid by each applicant.
Also they will be given documentation to work so they can also report taxes and
have a higher income to buy.
·
Amy : I do not think it would benefit
out economy at all because if they are given legal documentation the
unemployment rate will rise even more because now the race to find a job will
get harder. I think this will actually help the poverty rate go up which does
not help out economy.
Do you think the reform should be given to certain
individuals who have finished High School here in the United States?
·
Gloria
: Yes, because once they finish high
school, they will have an opportunity to continue their education and become professionals
that will help better out country and our economy. If they are not given
documentation, they will be forced to work for low paying jobs with no
benefits.
·
Amy
:
It depends, if they are able to pay for their education, they can do so. But
when they are asking the government for financial aid help and their parents
have not contributed to anything, it’s not fair for those who actually do and
cannot receive financial government help because of the immigrants.
Further Readings:
Ojeda, Raul Hinojosa. "Immigration
Reform Can Benefit the US Economy." What Is the Future of the US
Economy? Ed. Ronald D. Lankford, Jr. Detroit: Greenhaven Press,
2013. At Issue. Rpt. from "Raising the Floor for American Workers."
2010.Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 21 Mar. 2013. <http://ic.galegroup.com.ezproxy.library.clevelandcc.edu/ic/ovic/ViewpointsDetailsPage/ViewpointsDetailsWindow?failOverType=&query=&prodId=OVIC&windowstate=normal&contentModules=&mode=view&displayGroupName=Viewpoints&limiter=&currPage=&disableHighlighting=false&displayGroups=&sortBy=&source=&search_within_results=&action=e&catId=&activityType=&scanId=&documentId=GALE%7CEJ3010522230>
Ruark, Eric A., and Matthew Graham.
"Immigration Is Increasing Poverty in the United States." Poverty. Ed. Roman Espejo. Detroit: Greenhaven Press,
2012. Opposing Viewpoints. Rpt. from "Immigration, Poverty and Low-Wage
Earners: The Harmful Effect of Unskilled Immigrants on American
Workers." FairUS.org. 2011. 3-17.Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 21 Mar. 2013 <http://ic.galegroup.com.ezproxy.library.clevelandcc.edu/ic/ovic/ViewpointsDetailsPage/ViewpointsDetailsWindow?failOverType=&query=&prodId=OVIC&windowstate=normal&contentModules=&mode=view&displayGroupName=Viewpoints&limiter=&currPage=&disableHighlighting=false&displayGroups=&sortBy=&source=&search_within_results=&action=e&catId=&activityType=&scanId=&documentId=GALE%7CEJ3010159407>
Swartz, Zach. "Illegal Immigrants
Should Not Be Allowed Amnesty." Illegal Immigration.
Ed. Noël Merino. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2012. Current Controversies. Rpt.
from "Amnesty and Joblessness: 15.4 Million Unemployed Americans Shouldn't
Have to Compete for Jobs with Today's Illegal Aliens." Federation for
American Immigration Reform (FAIR), 2009. Opposing Viewpoints In Context.
Web. 21 Mar. 2013. <http://ic.galegroup.com.ezproxy.library.clevelandcc.edu/ic/ovic/ViewpointsDetailsPage/ViewpointsDetailsWindow?failOverType=&query=&prodId=OVIC&windowstate=normal&contentModules=&mode=view&displayGroupName=Viewpoints&limiter=&currPage=&disableHighlighting=false&displayGroups=&sortBy=&source=&search_within_results=&action=e&catId=&activityType=&scanId=&documentId=GALE%7CEJ3010499254>
Thompson, Art. "Illegal Immigration
Hurts the Economy." Immigration. Ed.
Mary E. Williams. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 2004. Opposing Viewpoints. Rpt.
from "Real Solutions for the Economy: Stop Illegal
Immigration." John Birch Society.
2008. Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 21 Mar. 2013.
<http://ic.galegroup.com.ezproxy.library.clevelandcc.edu/ic/ovic/ViewpointsDetailsPage/ViewpointsDetailsWindow?failOverType=&query=&prodId=OVIC&windowstate=normal&contentModules=&mode=view&displayGroupName=Viewpoints&limiter=&currPage=&disableHighlighting=false&displayGroups=&sortBy=&source=&search_within_results=&action=e&catId=&activityType=&scanId=&documentId=GALE%7CEJ3010227266>
Waldrone, Travis. "How A Path To
Citizenship For Undocumented Immigrants Would Boost The American
Economy." ThinkProgress RSS. Center for American Progress
Action Fund, 20 Mar. 2013. Web. 21 Mar. 2013. <http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2013/03/20/1748921/economic-boost-immigration-reform/>
Sledge, Matt. "Immigration Reform Could Lead
To Biometric ID Cards." The Huffington Post.
TheHuffingtonPost.com, 31 Jan. 2013. Web. 21 Mar. 2013
< http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/31/immigration-reform-biometric-id_n_2594285.html>
