Illegal Immigration Move the US Economy - Article Example

Hussain Alenazi Popowits English 102 21 June Illegal Immigration Move the United Economy Zeituni Onyango is one of the most important immigrants. Zeituni Onyango is half sister of Obamas father, Barack Obama. She is from Kenya. An immigration court has ruled in favor of her staying in The United States. Immigrants leave their home country for a good reason. They do not cross the border just for fun or to challenge the border-patrol. Immigrants from all over the world come to The United States. Hence, you get to see immigrants everywhere you go. Most of the immigrants are from South America and Mexico (Williams 33-4). The immigrants build the country (Williams 80). It is a fact and no one can argue about it. Most of these immigrants are originally from Europe (Williams 80-2). The rest of the immigrants are from Africa. Recently, The United States have realized that the illegal immigrants have become a problem (Mark 23-24). Many of well known newspapers have written articles about the illegal immigrants (Mark 23-24). Television and radio were also not behind in taking up the illegal immigrant issue. They took complete advantage of the ‘illegal immigrants’ issue by making programs on it and trying to attract people’s attention towards the problem of illegal immigrants. By watching and listening to the biased information given through TV and radio programs about the illegal immigrants, we began to believe that illegal immigrants are nothing but a problem to The United States. But the fact is that the media never made an effort to show the positive side of the illegal immigrants. Most of the illegal immigrants are not rich and hence, live a life of extreme poverty in The United States. The Illegal immigrants help to build The United States economy (Batalova and Lowell 26-31). They increase the birth rate and make the economy keep standing on its feet (Williams 90-8). Illegal immigrants are the people who enter The United States without legal documents. The United States is taking great efforts to solve this problem (Krikorion 23-24). They are using most advanced technology to stop illegal immigrants from crossing the border (Krikorion 23-24). However, the Coyotes are doing a good job by getting the illegal immigrants to The United States (Thornburgh 32-36). The illegal immigrants help The United States economy. The world economy is getting worse day after day. In this scenario, the illegal immigrants can help to keep The United State economy on the right track by getting them at the top of the competition (Batalova and Lowell 26-31). Immigrants are those people who have to work extremely hard to feed their families. They come so far away from their home land because they hope that The United States will give them a better life and better opportunities. The emptiness, aloneness and the uprooted feeling that an immigrant goes through can be felt only by those people who have left their home land in search of the better prospects. One cannot understand the feelings of an immigrant unless one is an immigrant himself. They are human beings just as we are. It is just that the lack of opportunities and bad life conditions make them to come to a foreign country. However, even here in The United States, they are becoming the victim of discrimination and prejudice. The fact that Zeituni Onyango got to stay in The United States because she was related to President Obama and Salvador had to pay almost $8,500 to the coyotes to work in The United States, shows that there is a lot of discrimination against the immigrants (Thornburgh 32-36 ). Illegal immigrants help to build The United States by doing the difficult and laborious jobs. They are amongst the lowest paid people in The United States and they do not demand more money. In spite of working very hard and that too in harsh environmental and physical conditions, they are getting the lowest wages. Alejandro is an immigrant who owns a house and makes his mortgage payments on time (Thornburgh 32-36). By paying his mortgage on time, Alejandro is helping The United States economy. Even a simple task of paying the mortgage on time helps the economy in a way. Hence, by paying his mortgage on time, Alejandro is doing his bit in helping the American economy. In this way, there is a possibility of thousands of immigrants helping The United States to gain a strong position in global competition (Williams 80). They keep The United States economy increasing (Williams 80). History is a witness to the fact that America without the immigrants was an America of Indian Tribes. If the immigrants are asked to leave the country, then the only people left in the country will be Indian tribes. Indian Americans have made this land into a country. Most of the Americans are from immigrant families (Williams 80). If The United States stop the immigrants from entering its border, then they will stop growing in the long run (Williams 87). Immigrants did not come to The United States because they did not like their country, but they came here to find work so that they can support their families. They come from third countries, take the challenge of adapting to new culture and place and cross the border in hope of starting a new life. However, some of them have to pay even before getting an opportunity to make money by entering The United States. Immigrants will make the money move around. They will help to start new business. Most of immigrants, despite of having less education, are important as they are highly skilled and productive people (Batalova and Lowell 26-31). Batalova and Lowell said that “there are more than 39.9 million U.S workers and about 36.2 percent of them are between age 24 and 64. And 11 percent of total worker in the U.S are immigrants.” Immigrants represent only one out of twenty professionals. Most of the professional immigrants are from the field of information technology and medicine. Immigrants who came between 1990 and 2000 are mostly from the fields of information technology, engineering or are scientists (Batalova and Lowell 26-31). Immigrants bring new ideas and give fresh sprit to The United States economy by providing business contract to other markets and enhancing the trade (Williams 101). They keep The United States more flexible (Williams 101). Presently, the largest source of immigration is Mexico (Williams 81). Immigrants will benefit the US economy by contributing to higher birth rates among them and by bringing the entrepreneur sprit which will help in growing a consumer market for technical, energy and financial services (Williams 98). President Bill Clinton, during the Commencement Address at Portland State University, June 13, 1998, said, “I believe new immigrants are good for America. They are revitalizing our cities. They are building our new economy. They are strengthening our ties to global economy, just as earlier waves of immigrants settled on the new frontier and powered the Industrial Revolution. They are energizing our culture and broadening our vision of the world. They are renewing our most basic values and reminding us all of what it truly means to be an American” (Williams 83). Study shows that if the legalization of 11 to 12 million undocumented immigrants in The United States takes place, then it will help grow the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by $1.5 trillion over the next 10 years, and bring other benefits to The United States workers and national economy (Schepers). Statistic shows that 3 million undocumented workers were legalized through IRCA in the late 1980s and early 1990 and this increased their earnings. This change was noted with the women workers too (Schepers). Legalization is good for all American workers because it raises the wage floor (Schepers). Labor group claims that they depress wages and take jobs from Americans. However, the studies show that it is not the case. Immigrants can also benefit the countries of their origin by investing in their home countries, founding the school and increasing the skill levels. Besides, it is a basic right of every human being to make the most of his talents, and this is something that benefits everyone (Elliott). The immigration policy was started in 1965 (Batalova and Lowell 26-31). Immigration and Reform Act was started in 1981(Batalova and Lowell 26-31). They take care of more than 3 million unauthorized immigrants and set sanctions for those who hire the unauthorized workers (Batalova and Lowell 26-31). It is not easy to just ask an illegal immigrant to go back to the place where he has come from. The problem is that the illegal immigrants have their homes and their investments in The United States. They let go of all their possessions in their home country before immigrating to the US and hence, it is not easy to just ask them to go back to their home country (Thornburgh 32-36). The US wants the illegal immigrants to leave the country so that their jobs can be saved for the Americans (Thornburgh 32-36). However, asking the illegal immigrants to just leave is inhuman. One of the most successful immigrants is Ali Reza Manoucheri. He is the biggest client in United States government. His company, MetroStar Inc., is specialized in social networking software. It helps client setup interactive web pages, blogs and knowledge-sharing sites known as “wikis” (Writer). The largest number of foreign born business owners is from the Mexico. It is not surprising since most of the immigrants are from Mexico and other Latin American country (Writer). Asians also often tend to benefit more from the help of the extended families. The family members with business experience act as mentors to those aiming to immigrate. Asian immigrants also benefit more from offers of startup capital from puddle members (Writer). Immigration is a big issue. Most of the wealthy countries have this problem. Sometimes, people need to immigrate from one point to other. Some of the immigrants immigrate to earn more money while others immigrate with the aim of getting more education. The world is getting more united by immigration. Immigration is helping people from different countries to share not only the financial opportunities but also the culture. When the immigrants came to Arizona State, their intention was to take advantage of the good economy at that time. However, with the new low in the economy, the Hispanic immigrants in the Arizona State decided to go to the other states where they are welcomed. The Pew Hispanic Center reports a 40 to 45 percent drop in people to United States from Mexico (Hag). Nevada Senator Harry Reid said, “As you know, we just wrapped up a historic and Herculean effort to improve the lives of millions, help turn our economy around and finally do what we should have done decades ago. We saw how important it is not to let myths and fear displace the fact. And we know we can not wait any longer to do what is long overdue (Reid). Immigration reform, like health reform, is about doing what is right, even if it is hard (Reid). It is about jobs and getting people to work, getting our economy back on (Reid). We are going to make sure the 12 million undocumented immigrants in America get right with the law and pay their fair share of taxes. When they do, dishonest employers will no longer be able to exploit them or use them to undercut the wages and worker conditions of those who follow the law (Reid). It is standing up for human rights, even if some try to stand in the way (Reid). Immigration reform means stronger families, healthier families, a strong economy and healthier economy. It means fairness for your families, and fulfilling the promise of a nation built on immigrants. Like our health care system was, we all know our immigration system is badly broken.” (Reid) It is agreed that immigrants can hurt the country or the economy of the country, but their help can turn the economy positively no matter how bad the situation is. Immigrants are very important for every country and not just for the United State. I believe that the only country that does not need more immigrants is China because China already has a huge population. Immigration actually helps the economy in many different ways. It gives new ideas, give sprit to the market and improve the trade system. There are so many examples of immigrants proving to be a great help to The United States economy. American labor has problems with the immigrants because they take a lower wages and are more skilled than the Americans. It is the insecurity and the fear of losing their jobs to the immigrants that is making the American people negative towards the immigrants. However, Americans should realize that the fact that immigrants have survived for so long in this country shows that they deserve to be here. The only thing that Americans need to do is to show some humanness and treat the immigrants with respect and love. The immigrants deserve it. After all, the immigrants are also human beings. Work Cited Batalova, Jeanne, and B. Lindsay Lowell. "Immigrant Professionals in The United States." Society 44.2 (2007): 26-31. Academic Search Premier. EBSCO. Web. 29 May 2010.http://ezproxy.dom.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aph&AN=23243982&site=ehost-live&scope=site Chaves, Linda. "The Realities of Immigration." Commentary July 2006: 584-90. Print Elliott, Michael. "A FRESH LOOK AT IMMIGRATION: WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE BEST AND BRIGHTEST LEAVE HOME TO FIND THEIR FORTUNES?." Fortune 161.8 (2010): 56. Academic Search Premier. EBSCO. Web. 26 June 2010. http://ezproxy.dom.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aph&AN=51179768&site=ehost-live&scope=site Hodgdon, Benjamin. "A Future with Forestry." Earth Island Journal 23.4 (2009): 44-48. Academic Search Premier. EBSCO. Web. 14 June 2010 http://ezproxy.dom.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aph&AN=35825538&site=ehost-live&scope=site Harry Reid, Harry. "Reid Urges Swift Action To Fix Broken Immigration System ." Welcome | Senator Harry Reid. 10 Apr. 2010. Web. 27 June 2010. http://reid.senate.gov/newsroom/pr_041010_fiximmigration.cfm Krikorian, Mark. "Enforcement At Work." National Review 60.14 (2008): 23-24. Academic Search Premier. EBSCO. Web. 29 May 2010.http://ezproxy.dom.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aph&AN=33271304&site=ehost-live&scope=site Kellerhals Jr., Merle David. "Obama, Calderón Discuss Immigration, Economy, Other Issues." America - Engaging the World - America.gov. 19 May 2010. Web. 14 June 2010. < http://www.america.gov/st/business-english/2010/May/20100519162855dmslahrellek0.8814508.html?CP.rss=true >. "NEWS SUMMARY." New York Times 19 Mar. 2005: 2. Academic Search Premier. EBSCO. Web. 14 June 2010. http://ezproxy.dom.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aph&AN=28591504&site=ehost-live&scope=site Schepers, Emile. "Legalizing Undocumented Immigrants Would Boost Economy » Peoplesworld." Home » Peoplesworld. 19 Apr. 2010. Web. 14 June 2010. http://www.peoplesworld.org/legalizing-undocumented-immigrants-would-boost-economy/ Silko, Leslie Marmon. The Nation 17 Oct. 1994: 591-95. Print. Thornburgh, Nathan. "Undocumented And Undeterred." Time 173.15 (2009): 32-36. Academic Search Premier. EBSCO. Web. 29 May 2010.http://ezproxy.dom.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aph&AN=37567862&site=ehost-live&scope=site Williams, Mary E. Immigration: Opposing Viewpoints. San Diego, Calif.: Greenhaven, 2004. Print Writer, Burton BollagStaff. "Immigrants’ Entrepreneurial Spirit Helps U.S. Economy." America - Engaging the World - America.gov. 21 Jan. 2009. Web. 27 June 2010.http://www.america.gov/st/econenglish/2009/January/20090121162300berehellek0.5543177.html Read More