Common Misconceptions "debunked" by the article
Immigrants take jobs away from more "expensive" Americans because they are cheap.
This is largely untrue because generally the jobs that these immigrants fill are those that even the lowest-educated American doesn't do. They generally get jobs doing manual, unskilled labor, while Americans generally get jobs that require some ability to communicate. Essentially, they aren't even the same jobs. Either way, Americans would have the advantage because they can communicate well in English, while most uneducated immigrants cannot.
Immigrants negatively affect the economy
On the contrary, the immigrants that entered the US between 1997-2007 have been credited for the on average $5000 increase in yearly income per worker in that time period. Additionally, more immigrant workers allows for many businesses to expand and invest, which is good for the economy. Also, may businesses owe their existence to the lower pay immigrants receive. If they had paid for more "expensive" American workers, they most likely would not have had enough profit to keep their businesses running.
What do you think? Is immigration bad or good for the United States? Is the article right, or does immigration really take jobs away from Americans?
3 comments:
Don't you mean that most Americans are against illegal immigration? I don't recall most Americans against legal immigration. But also, I can assure that immigrants don't necessarily take the unskilled labor that even the most uneducated American won't do. In today's economy, the lowest educated American will take anything they can. But from my own experience in the construction business, it's only being hurt by illegal immigration, not legal. It's the illegal immigration providing a cheaper alternative to a job, while they are not necessarily guaranteeing good quality. So in conclusion, I think legal immigration is key because they provide a greater workforce, but scaling back illegal immigration due to an even greater job competition.
While it is idealistic to think that immigrants solely fill jobs that the "lowest-educated American" wouldn't do, as many immigrants work their way to respected, skilled labor, and many come in to the country very educated and skilled, I believe that there is something to be said for the greater workforce immigrants provide. I believe that we are a country of immigrants and that immigration is essential to our modern-day economy, but I also agree with George that illegal immigration needs to be scaled back because of its harming nature in even greater job competition and hurting of the economy. "Immigrant" is a broad term, but I think legal immigrants in general are definitely good for the economy and the country.
I agree with Rory and George that the distinction between legal and illegal immigration is very important, but I take a more neutral stance on illegal immigrants being here in the country.
According to the article that has been sourced, larger businesses/companies with hopes of expanding will especially benefit from immigrants that are physical laborers who require little pay. This potentially "takes jobs away from real Americans'", but it also offers jobs for those who have exceptional communication skills and whatnot, so I feel that even illegal immigrants have a major role in helping America's economy. It's not that I'm "super pro-capitalism" and "big business rules the nation", because I'm not, but considering that these various companies still contribute and affect our economy to the extent they do, thinking of how to keep them successful but more accessible to workers of all LEGAL sorts is the real issue...
In an ideal world, all immigrants and all other people living in the U.S. would be here legally, but everyone has their own personal circumstances, and the resulting communities and job opportunities change for better or for worse accordingly.
Post a Comment