Two reports released by The Hamilton Project of the Brookings Institution – “Ten Economic Facts About Immigration” and “Rationalizing U.S. Immigration Policy: Reforms for Simplicity, Fairness, and Economic Growth” - support the proposition that an improved immigration system would help to raise the economic well-being of all Americans.
One of the biggest misconceptions with regard to immigrants is how they affect the country’s economy – the typical idea being that the impact is negative. However, these two reports make clear that in fact, immigration has had many positive benefits for all Americans.
Current immigrants bring a greater level of diversity than in the past. The term diversity stands for something greater than just the cultures of these immigrants, but includes their skill sets and educational backgrounds as well. According to the Hamilton Project, more than 11% of foreign-born workers have advanced degrees – a percentage higher than that of native-born Americans. In addition:
- Immigrants improve the standard of living of all Americans through boosting wages and lowering overall prices by complementing jobs of U.S. employees and creating an increase in the labor supply which leads to the opening of more businesses.
- Immigrants are not a net drain on the federal government budget because the taxes that they pay actually exceed the costs of the services they use.
- U.S. Correctional facilities and institutions are not burdened by immigrants – as native U.S. citizens are more than five times more likely to be incarcerated than immigrants.
- Immigrants start new businesses and file patents at rates 30% higher than that of native born U.S. citizens.
The United States is a nation built on immigrant ingenuity, creativity and relentless hard work. However, as The Hamilton Project points out, our current immigration system is failing to serve both the needs of immigrants and the wider society. While not everyone will necessarily agree with all of the immigration reforms supported by The Hamilton Project, these two reports, taken together, provide a strong factual basis for arguing that immigration – of both skilled and unskilled workers - provides a net benefit to this country and that a more simplified and rational immigration system is a vital component of the United States’ future economic success.
To read both reports in full to go:
http://www.hamiltonproject.org/papers/ten_economic_facts_about_immigration/ and
