Running head: WRITTEN ASSIGNMENT 2 Written Assignment 2 October 15, 2008 Written Assignment 2 The economic impact of immigration on the United States economy has become an issue of the day. While some Americans consider immigration as one of the most complicated problems, posing substantial threat to the United States’ economy, others still argue that there are too many stereotypes concerning immigration. The present paper examines immigration, explores some of the stereotypes about the economic impact of immigration in the United States, social research findings regarding these stereotypes, examines the main ways the states and governments attempt to control immigration, and explores to what extent are states successful in controlling immigration as well as what have been some of the unintended consequences of migration regulations. The issue of immigration is extremely complex one. Some Americans claim immigration poses no threat to the economy, while others blame immigration for various reasons, claiming it had a negative impact on political loyalties, levels of criminality, job growth, economic benefits, moral values, work habits, to mention a few. Some Americans also consider that immigration is a new affirmative action, and, therefore, affirmative action policy (a set of policies and positive steps undertaken by the government aimed at minorities and/ or women in various areas of education, business, employment, etc designed to help them eliminate both past and present discrimination based on their religion, color, race, etc.) should be reshaped and changed as it is helping immigrants instead of American citizens. Although it is a common knowledge that immigration has both positive and negative impact on economy of the United States, there are still too many stereotypes concerning immigration.
The Term Paper on Early 20Th Century U.S. Immigration: The New American
Kalapodas 8 Dec. 1999 History 101 Dr. Tassinari Immigration: The New American Paul Kalapodas 8 Dec. 1999 Immigration For many, immigration to the United States during the late 19th to early 20th century would be a new beginning to a prosperous life. However there were many acts and laws past to limit the influx of immigrants, do to prejudice, such as the Chinese Exclusion Act. Later on into the ...
For example, immigrants are often blamed for taking jobs from Americans. Although it might seem sound, it is not that true, as immigrants coming to the United States are mostly unqualified; therefore, in their majority, they are taking the jobs Americans do not want to do. It is also believed that more immigrants entering the United States mean more opportunity for drug dealers, increased criminal levels, terrorism, etc. Also, it is believed that due to high level of poverty, immigrants consume a high amount of government resources, such as welfare, education, etc. with no paying taxes. Finally, there is an assumption that the language and national identity is disappearing, and famous American melting pot is being replaced by multi-culturalism. Yet, it should be mentioned that the vast majority of the researches consider that immigration doesnt hurt American economy and, on contrary, has positive effect on it (including lower costs to the consumers for goods and services, added productivity, etc.) (Velasque).
Moreover, James Smith, a senior economist at Santa Monica-based RAND Corporation and the author of the U.S.
National Research Council’s study “The New Americans: Economic, Demographic, and Fiscal Effects of Immigration”, claims that immigrants contribute as much as $10 billion to the U.S. economy each year (Smith, 1997).
Yet, as far as illegal immigration remains an important issue, the states and governments attempt to control immigration by immigration quotas and attempting to pass bills addressing illegal immigration, controlling borders, to mention a few. In some states, noncitizens are required to show government-issued proof of legal immigration status, and, in case they fail to have such proof, they are subjected to deportation. In conclusion it may be said that these regulations are relatively effective, however, due to the complicacy of the immigration issue, there are still some unintended consequences of migration regulations, such as possible violation of human rights, partly closing the entrance gates for work for immigrants, etc. References Smith, J. (1997).
The Term Paper on The Impact Of Immigration On American Politics
... communist regimes. Immigrants in Politics The ethnic diversity made possible by immigration to the United States has enriched American music, literature, ... is able to get control of the machinery of American government. In spite of this persistence in keeping ethic ... party. Ethnic Politics and American Pluralism One of the most important effects of immigration on American political life has been ...
The New Americans: Economic, Demographic, and Fiscal Effects of Immigration.
National Academy Press. Velasque, M. (n.d.).
Immigration: Is Exclusion Just? Retrieved October 15, 2008, from 2008: http://www.scu.edu/ethics/publications/iie/v7n2/ve lasquez.html.
