Economic Effects of Immigration

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The most avidly debated effects of immigration involve the United States’ economy and labor force. It is estimated that there are 12 million undocumented immigrants in the United States today, and their impact on the economy can be perceived as positive as well as negative. The overall effect is unclear, and this essay will present both sides of the debate.

Many economic factors have been influenced by an increasing number of immigrants that have entered our country. Population growth has had a direct effect on our economy. The rate of population increase and how equip the United States is to handle this growth could have many different effects on the economy that could be considered productive or destructive to our economy. Productivity for more goods and services could increase due to the increase in demand or it could result in the opposite and demand could decrease because of so many people and lack of economic stability. There are countless possibilities of the actual result of increased immigration.

Population

growth is not the only factor in the outcome of our economy. The increase in

immigration will ultimately have an effect on our government programs as well.

Immigrants, just as natives do, will also use funds provided by Social Security, Medicare

and Medicaid and various other welfare systems such as food stamps. This will have a

great impact on the economic stability of government. Various economic burdens could

be the result of increased need for our welfare system from immigration. Another factor

of economic status in result of increased immigration is our structure in our labor

markets. There is a big difference of opinion on the actual economic effects on both

sides of the argument. It could be sai...

... middle of paper ...

...n the actual good and bad effects immigration has had on our economy.

Difference of opinions on this matter will be strong as long as immigration continues

throughout our nation. Outlook and opinions vary on the complex issue of immigration.

One fact is certain; the debate over the economic effects of immigration on the United States will be of great concern on both sides of the issue for many years to come.

Endnotes

1. Martin, Philip and Midgley, Elizabeth. Population Bulletin. Immigration to the

United States. Population Reference Bureau: Vol. 54, No. 2 pg. 31-32.

2. www.cato.org

3. www.4nationalacademies.org

4. www.upjohninst.org

5. migration.ucdavis.edu

6. www.cis.org

7. www.ncpa.org

8. Fix, Michael, Zimmermann, Wendy, and Passel, Jeffery S.

The Integration of Immigrant Families in the United States. The Urban Institute.

July 2001.

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