Background Information
Immigration, especially that of the illegal variety, has been a topic of great debate for sometime now, and recently, there have been an abundance of calls for and attempts at the reformation of the United States’ current immigration system. It seems that the chief concern that Americans have with the current immigration system is the ease with which illegal immigrants are able to enter the United States. In a recent Pew poll, results found that over three-fourths of Americans favor tougher border control, and even 61 percent favored the controversial Arizona immigration law, Arizona SB 1070. Arizona SB 1070 is one of the strictest anti-illegal immigration measures that has ever been put into place in the United States. Actions like this make it apparent that the vast majority of Americans are very much in favor of seeing the flow of illegal immigrants into the United States decrease dramatically, or stop completely. However, many studies have found that Americans may want to reconsider cracking down on illegal immigration. These studies, like the one conducted by the Texas state government in 2006, have found that illegal immigration is good for their state economy and the United States economy (Ewing).
As of 2013, there are an estimated 12 million illegal immigrants in the United States, and they have had a major impact on the United States economy (Pew). However, whether or not this impact is a positive or a negative one is a topic of much debate. People who believe that the impact is a positive one are more likely to focus on the direct effects of illegal immigration on the economy, things like the difference between the taxes they paid and government benefits they received. The opposition, meanwhile, looks more at some of the indirect effects, like the influx of unskilled workers and the idea that these illegal immigrants are working jobs that unemployed Americans would be. Regardless of which side of the argument you fall, the fact that illegal immigration is having an impact on the United States economy is undeniable.
As of 2013, there are an estimated 12 million illegal immigrants in the United States, and they have had a major impact on the United States economy (Pew). However, whether or not this impact is a positive or a negative one is a topic of much debate. People who believe that the impact is a positive one are more likely to focus on the direct effects of illegal immigration on the economy, things like the difference between the taxes they paid and government benefits they received. The opposition, meanwhile, looks more at some of the indirect effects, like the influx of unskilled workers and the idea that these illegal immigrants are working jobs that unemployed Americans would be. Regardless of which side of the argument you fall, the fact that illegal immigration is having an impact on the United States economy is undeniable.