Illegal Immigration - Essay Example

Module: Lecturer: Illegal Immigration and United s Economy United s has been having a perennial problem with illegal immigrants. It goes without saying that there has been ranging debate on the issue for years. Ledbetter says that lawmakers and the general public alike have indulged in discussions that aim at solving the issue once and for all (12). The debate surrounds mostly the threat that this form of immigration has on US economy. Some argue that it is disastrous while others back its proponents stating that it goes a long way in benefiting United States’ economy in general.

Having lived and rubbed shoulders with many illegal immigrants and those who once were, one cannot fail to be passionate about the subject. These are people whose past life stories of where they come from, be it Mexico, Europe and Africa among other regions are not at all pleasing (Ledbetter 23). United States offers to these people refuge and good life that they would wish to live or far much better regardless of circumstances than that of their mother lands. Americans may at times take the good life; good roads, education, social amenities, health and security among others for granted.

These social amenities in other regions are rare to come by and where available, they come at an unbearable cost. However, despite all these issues dogging them, illegal immigrants come to face harsh lives in the United States due to their lack of legitimacy and lack of appropriate documents.Illegal immigration is no doubt beneficial to the US economy. Most Americans cannot take up jobs that these immigrants do and for that reason low-wage jobs find people to do them. As much they are earning, they also consume.

This way they offer a consumption pool that drives industries forward while not forgetting these goods are taxed offering revenue for the government. Due to their offering of cheap labor it is possible for farmers and other producers to lower their prices on goods. Ledbetter states that being an illegal immigrant does not necessarily mean these people are less skilled. A good number of them are highly innovative and educated too and the brain drain is a benefit to the United States economy. Illegal immigrants also involve themselves in many sectors of the economy in which they benefit e.g. automobile insurance, real estate where they pay commissions, hold bank accounts that charge interest and rent in areas that would otherwise have lacked tenants (36 – 44).

These benefits are at times overshadowed by various issues. Many illegal immigrants end up sending their hard earned money to their relatives abroad. Their maintenance cost by the government is quite high. Tax-based resources are hugely affected e.g. healthcare schemes according to Ledbetter (36-38). There is no fairness in offering amnesty to illegal inhabitants to legal immigrants and it goes ahead to offer hope making more to come in the States illegally. Considering the above factors one can stand with the claim that illegal immigrants are a burden to the US economy.

It is on the other hand important to look into this issue impartially and one will clearly see that illegal immigration offers numerous benefits to the US economy only that it is illegal.Work citedLedbetter, R. Colleen. Illegal Immigration in the United States: An Economic, Social and Political Overview of the Current Debate. Western Washington University, 2006.