Interrelation of Immigration and Poverty - Essay Example

29 July Immigration Immigration and poverty go hand-in-hand; people are striving to attain abetter future by venturing to a foreign land. Many see immigration as a scapegoat coping mechanism of a person; some view it as a survival technique. It does not matter how one views immigration, it is more essential that the good attributes about it be exposed. Poverty has spread throughout the world; one need not be an expert in order to observe what is happening to the economy of majority of nations. These economic crises are more evident in third-world countries. Asis stated (2006) “…an estimated 8.1 million Filipinos — nearly 10 percent of the countrys 85 million people — were working and/or residing in close to 200 countries and territories.” This is one of the many examples of people who have started migrating from developing areas to wealthy nations so that they can improve their stature in life. In modern times, this form of movement is better known as immigration, Rowthorn explains why immigration is encouraged “… developed nations consist more of the ageing population and they require these immigrants to stabilize the economy of the country... also ensure a cultural diversity in the developed nations.” There are pro’s and con’s of any issue, and by far, immigration has undoubtedly shed light for the oppressed ones of the society. Fleeing the native land does not mean, one is not a patriot, nor has an inclination for westerners. Immigration is solely a personal choice, it is subjective, therefore must not encounter criticism. Immigration can serve to be beneficial for the wealthy countries where the population ages ay by day. The widespread use of birth control measures contributes to the low population of the developed than in the undeveloped and developing nations. These factors result in lower number of manpower and hence require someone who can take the vacant posts. Immigrants can take over these positions; help to improve the economy by producing outputs from their work, paying taxes to the government of the host country just like a native citizen, and providing the cultural diversity as mentioned by Rowthorn. As immigration is increasing all over the worl, , P d it is seen that an understanding of different cultures and religions has also increased simultaneously. People are able to immerse and adjust themselves with the new culture thus, providing an opportunity to exchange cultural point of views. Immigrant tends to speak the tongue one way or the other; they can also teach their own language to the host community. This helps to promote harmony and peace between these people. It also helps them to analyze the each other’s culture and be exposed to different perspectives of the world (Hainmueller et al. 2007). Despite this understanding there has been much opposition to the policy of immigration; some even raised an issue that not all immigrants who actually come to the host countries are educated properly and this results in unemployment for them as well; and the accusation of contaminating of the culture of the host country. These points have been argued against as it has been analyzed that the immigrants serve to fill many vacant places and assist in boosting the income of a country as a whole. They even adapt to the jobs of lower income which are not taken up by the nationals and unemployment is not a major factor amongst them (Rowthorn 2004). This has been agreed by Giovanni Peri, an economics professor at the University of California in an interview by Long Island News. Peri stated “…abilities of foreign-born workers increases the productivity of natives, stimulates investment and enhances choices available for consumers. Immigration actually boosts average wages for natives.” The educated class of the society actually understands that cultural diversity assists in the broadening of the human mind and in the development of peace of how human beings from different parts of the world can live together (Hainmueller et al 2007). If immigration is viewed from an ethical point of view, it can be said that every human being has the right to improve his lifestyle and can grasp any opportunity that he may get. Furthermore, people who choose to migrate, send dollar remittance to their families, and also contribute to the economy of their homeland. Based from World Bank the remittances of migrants to India are conservatively estimated to have reached $45 billion in 2008. Remittance flows to China were about $35 billion and those to Mexico about $2 billion higher. Dilip Ratha, a World Bank economist, aims that “developing countries get two times more money through remittances than through official aid.” This remittance makes up almost 2/3 of foreign direct investment that developing countries get (World Bank 2009). It has been clear that immigration is a good thing, both for the host and the native country. World Bank created research that resulted in the conclusion that remittances can help poor families climb out of poverty faster (World Bank 2009). But what will happen to a developing country if its educated people migrate in large numbers? A massive migration of well-educated people is termed as “brain-drain” (World Bank 2009). Thus, leaving the native country with an inadequate number of productive workforce and can lead to a greater economic crisis. This can be counteracted; a clear policy on immigration can be passed by the government both of the originating and possible host countries. Such policy must include the number of allowed immigrants per country per year, to avoid any brain-drain. A transparent and strict rule to discourage illegal immigrant acts from happening should be created and executed. It has been a fact that there are a lot of illegal immigrants in the developed nations, who suffers from racism, under compensation, maltreatment and abuse. Jahn 2011 stated that “illegal immigrants working as domestics in the European Union are often subject to beatings, sexual abuse and overwork while being paid a fraction of what they would be entitled to if employed legally.” A country values the help of these people, in terms of economic support, it simply means the more immigrants the more consumers, also the more workers to meet growing labour demands of consumers and businesses, and more entrepreneurs. Immigration is a great way to have a stable living, cultural enhancements and social interaction. Thus, immigrants do not serve as a burden on the economy of the host countries but rather prove to be helpful for them as well and also assist in bridging gaps between different cultures. Sentence Outline I. Immigration is a positive factor for the states as it helps in different ways. A. Ageing population is a factor which is solved through immigration. B. Immigrants prove to be skilled workers who can work on low wages. C. Cultures can be amalgamated together with the help of immigration. D. The immigrants bring along their culture in the developed parts of the world. II. Some opponents point out that these immigrants are a negative factor for the state. A. These immigrants take up the jobs which can rather be taken by the citizens of the state. B. These immigrants bring contamination of culture. III. Immigrants have a right to immigrate A. From an ethical point of view all the immigrants have a right to move for a better lifestyle. B. These immigrants help to boost up the economy of the states. C. Native homelands also benefit from dollar remittances. D. A proper policy for immigrants to avoid illegal immigration. Works Cited Primary Sources Keating, Raymond. “Commentary: Before Reform, Know the Good Side of Immigration.” Long Island Business News, 2011. Web. 24 Jul. 2011. Ratha, Dilip. “Remittance flows to developing countries are estimated to exceed $300 billion in 2008.” World Bank, 2009. Web. 24 Jul. 2011. Rowthorn, R. “The Economic Impact of Immigration”. A Civitas Online Report, 2004. Web. 23 Jul. 2011. World Bank Site. Migrant Remittances to Families Ease Poverty in Poor Countries, 2009. Web. 24 Jul. 2011. Secondary Sources Asis, Maruja. “The Philippines’ Culture of Migration.” Migration Policy Institute, 2011. Web. 24 Jul. 2011. Duignan, P. (January 01, 2004). SPECIAL REPORT -- IMMIGRANTS AND AMERICA - Do Immigrants Benefit America?. The World & I, 19, 2, 20. I WAS NOT THE ONE WHO MADE THIS…I DON’T KNOW WHAT KIND OF ARTICLE THIS IS!!! This will not merit anything from the write up. Might as well delete this one! Top of Form Top of Form Hainmueller, Jens, and Michael J. Hiscox. Educated Preferences: Explaining Attitudes Toward Immigration in Europe, 2007. Print. Jahn, George. “Report: Illegal immigrants abused as domestics.” Associated Press, 2011. Web. 24 Jul. 2011. Bottom of Form Bottom of Form Top of Form Bottom of Form Bottom of Form Welch, Bryan. “Putting a Stop to Slave Labour.” Utne Reader, 2007. Web. 23 Jul. 2011. Read More