Is Illegal Immigration Beneficial to the Economy? Essay Example

undesirable jobs is met by illegal immigrants, who embody the American dream. These individuals are willing to work at any cost, making them preferable hires over American citizens. Often hired without proper documentation, they can be paid lower salaries. Consequently, their employment during economic decline poses a threat to our economy, raising questions about its benefits and America's responsibility towards the high number of undocumented immigrants in the country.

While some argue that illegal immigration positively impacts the US economy, others claim it affects job opportunities, wages, and social services such as healthcare, education, and social security. It also has an impact on various sectors like construction, restaurants,
farming, custodial work, landscaping,
taxi driving,
and child care services. Competing with this illicit workforce is a challenge for many Americans.

Americans are currently facing unfair competition from undocumented foreign workers who are willing to work for lower wages than documented workers. The responsibility lies with American employers who hire illegal immigrants, resulting in low wages and unemployment among Americans. However, it is possible that illegal immigrants are simply trying to survive by taking jobs that no other Americans want. I personally reside in a border town in Texas where the only separation between the United States and Mexico is the Rio Grande along with a recently constructed fence extending towards Arizona. It is widely recognized in my region that American employers hire illegal immigrants for undesirable job positions that Americans refuse to accept. Despite penalties and fines, these employers persistently take risks by employing them. Hence, an effective solution would be to refrain from hiring any illegal immigrants.

Due to the realism of first-hand experience, I find myself undecided on whether illegal

immigration has economic benefits. An example illustrating this is Juan Carlos Granados, who owns and manages two Mexican restaurants in town. These restaurants are consistently filled with customers throughout the working day. Mr. Granados is renowned for serving the finest, authentic Mexican cuisine in the area.

The cleanliness and customer service in Mr. Granados' restaurants are unparalleled. Additionally, the prices on his menu are more affordable for customers compared to others in our region. Mr. Granados immigrated illegally into America by crossing the Rio Grande in the early 1980s. Upon arriving in New Mexico, he supported himself by working in the Chile fields in the town of Hatch until he paid off his passage.

Mr. X and his friends and family resided in unauthorized labor camps, where they saved their low income earnings despite living in cramped conditions with over 20 people in a small one room house. In 1986, Congress was considering an amnesty plan to legalize numerous undocumented workers, even though the unemployment rate was at 7 percent. Some legislators expressed concerns about the potential impact of newly authorized workers on hospitals, schools, and wages. Nevertheless, the bill eventually became law, granting amnesty to nearly 3 million undocumented immigrants like Mr. X.

Upon relocating to Texas, Granados began his employment as a dishwasher in a restaurant. With diligence and determination, he progressively ascended within the company and achieved the position of cook. By saving his income, he successfully leased a humble apartment and eventually established a family.

Mr. Granados, a US citizen, and his wife Aurora met while working at a restaurant. Together, they combined their savings to purchase a pre-owned tortilla making machine. In the year

2000, they successfully launched their initial small establishment. At present, Mr. Granados oversees the management of two restaurants and has intentions to establish a third in the near future. His workforce comprises over 75 individuals, all of whom possess proper legal documentation.

Granados, who have become legalized citizens, pursue higher education degrees and purchase homes, both of which benefit the economy. Furthermore, illegal immigration also has economic benefits as it provides a willingness to work for lower wages, thus lowering production or manufacturing costs and reducing product prices. This leads to an increase in supply and demand. Additionally, the money earned by illegal immigrants is spent within the United States, which further advantages the economy. Extensive research conducted over a span of more than two decades has demonstrated that the 1986 law not only increased wages but also contributed to overall economic improvement.

The Department of Labor conducted a survey in 1992 which showed that the average hourly wages for previously undocumented workers in the United States rose by 15.1 percent. A more recent study conducted in 2012 by the Economic Policy Institute in Washington suggests that this upward trend has persisted.

Despite the recession from July 1990 to March 1991, the average age of people in the country continued to increase. However, this has caused frustration among law-abiding American citizens who are dissatisfied with the high number of independent illegal immigrants working in our nation. Business owners who choose not to hire these illegal immigrants for cheap labor may face challenges in staying competitive in the business market. Such owners may be forced to lower production costs and at the same time increase wages for their employees.

Illegal

immigrants not only negatively impact the workforce, but they also use social services like health care and education. Public schools are required to provide education to all students, regardless of their immigration status or proof of documentation. Due to their limited English proficiency, undocumented immigrants need more educational resources than native-born children, leading to higher costs for schools. A study by the Federation of American Immigration Reform shows that around $3 billion is spent each year on educating illegal students. Additionally, there is an estimated burden of $1.5 billion in uncompensated medical health care for undocumented immigrants. Gathering accurate statistics on the national expenses caused by these residents and workers in the United States remains a challenging task.

The rise in illegal immigration has had a direct impact on the criminal justice system of the United States. Unauthorized immigrants not only violate immigration laws, but they are also involved in drug-related offenses. As a result, the country is grappling with a substantial problem regarding illegal immigration, despite its heritage as a nation built by immigrants. Congress appears to overlook this issue, potentially due to the fact that the estimated Hispanic population reached 52 million as of July 2011, making Hispanics the largest ethnic or minority group within the nation. During elections, politicians depend on securing support from the Hispanic community.

The economic effects of unauthorized immigration in the United States continue to be a controversial topic, with ongoing discussions about its benefits and who is accountable for the large population of undocumented immigrants in the nation.