A severely broken immigration system calls for needed remedy,
but prospects show that this remedy is unlikely to come anytime soon. Many
complain that illegal immigration is actually hurting the economy more than
helping it; reasons behind this include: drainage of resources, as immigrants
use the money earned to send off to relatives in their home countries, and
avoidance of paying taxes, yet are still able to use free health care, food
stamps, and other services meant for citizens. Most importantly, the low-income
jobs that illegal immigrants do for the state still dissatisfy the unemployed,
as some argue that they are just as willing to take on these jobs.
House leaders call for more border security, enforcement on
immigration laws, and a fixed system to strengthen the economy. The key
component towards helping our economy, however, is the legalized workforce that
will come from citizenship.
The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates that by 2023,
the immigration reform would lead to an increase of 10 million people, which in
turn, would significantly increase the number of people in the labor force and
boost economic output and productivity. Average wages for all U.S. workers are
expected to increase, and the amount of capital investment will also grow,
helping the country’s GDP and economic prospects improve. The housing market would be enhanced with more demand and higher
prices, and the growth in jobs would allow for more entrepreneurs to rise up to
the demand of a broken economy.
On a moral side of the issue, families of illegal immigrants
will not have to be broken apart, but instead, will have the opportunity to
support each other and be protected from abusive employees. Immigrants can
receive fair wages that contribute to the economy.
The United States is inevitably becoming a nation of immigrants, as immigrants continue to be a crucial component to building our state up and contributing to businesses. Interests of the legislature should be gradually directed towards matching the interests of the immigrants, as they are the focus of much of today and compose a large percentage of the United States' population. Especially for the state of Texas, the rising population of Hispanic Americans calls for needed legislation concerning their futures.
The main roadblock that prevents reform from taking place is the lack of agreement between Democrats and Republicans on legalization and citizenship, rather than on these economic and moral considerations. Passing this reform not only necessary, but is also a win-win situation for both the business sector and for illegal immigrants.
The United States is inevitably becoming a nation of immigrants, as immigrants continue to be a crucial component to building our state up and contributing to businesses. Interests of the legislature should be gradually directed towards matching the interests of the immigrants, as they are the focus of much of today and compose a large percentage of the United States' population. Especially for the state of Texas, the rising population of Hispanic Americans calls for needed legislation concerning their futures.
The main roadblock that prevents reform from taking place is the lack of agreement between Democrats and Republicans on legalization and citizenship, rather than on these economic and moral considerations. Passing this reform not only necessary, but is also a win-win situation for both the business sector and for illegal immigrants.
2 comments:
For my commentary, I read a post entitled "Unlikely but Necessary Reform for Immigration" on the blog History in the Making. I agree that the way to allow immigration to have the largest and most successful impact on American society, and specifically Texas society, is through the legalization of immigrants to become part of the authorized workforce in the United States. But, as you stated, it seems as though any sort of system to change immigration or legalize people that are currently living in the country illegally does comprehensive reform that will not occur anytime soon. Just this summer a promising immigration bill made it through the U.S. Senate died in the House just days before Congress was to leave for recess.
As you stated, immigration, specifically illegal immigration, does have poor effects on the economy and threatens the livelihood of American citizens, but at the same time, legalizing those who are in the U.S. illegally would bring many benefits, some of which have been touched upon as well. I do think that legislation needs to start changing to take into account the growing diversity in the state of Texas, but on the same token, I do not think that the legislature should have to concede the rights and benefits of the people who have been in the country legally to those who entered the country illegally, whether or not they become citizens. Yes, I understand that for the most part they are trying to better their lives, but if you do not follow rules and laws that are in place, you lose all integrity and do not deserve to reap any benefits that you may receive.
I have read "Unlikely but Necessary Immigration Reform" from the blog History in the Making. The authors have introduced rather redundant subject that law makers don't really have the solution. It's not that hard to notice that our immigration system has fallen apart. There was a massive amnesty back in Reagan administration as a permanent remedy to our broken immigration system, but we have now noticed that amnesty was never a solution to this problem. The author of the post has suggested that legalization would add approximately 10 million possible workforce to our economy. He also mentioned that tax revenue would dramatically increase and economic demand would increase the national GDP.
I have a rather different point when it comes down to immigration. I don't believe that a comprehensive immigration reform is not the key solution to this problem. First of all, coming up with an ultimate solution to a problem would take very long time and may not be the most efficient way. I personally think that we should prioritize who would be best beneficial to this country. I don't want to see unskilled labors that later benefits off of welfare. Illegal immigrants who have college degree or have the intention of joining the military should be the major target of legalization. They are the most Americanized part of illegal immigrants and are the most skilled people. After legalizing them, we can talk about what we can do with seasonal farm workers, lawn care people, and etc.
We hear many sympathetic stories when it comes down to immigration, but we shouldn't forget that we live in a nation of law.
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