Impact of Immigration on the American Economy

Introduction

What makes America unique in respect to many other countries is it's immigrant history. For years the US has opened its doors to absorb many immigrants, something Americans pride themselves upon and glorify for good reason; if those doors were shut on our ancestors we would never have made it to where we are today. In spite of this, new research is revealing startaling news about the economics of immigration into the US. In order to preserve our heterogenious American identity and to make immigration succeed steps need to be taken to control immigration.

American Gains from Immigration

A common misconception that must be addressed is the degree to which immigration helps Americans. There is a small amount to be gained from immigration, however the gain is not very signifigant, about 7 billion annually

Immigration Statistics

-There are an estimated 34 Million immigrants in the United States, one-third of which are illegal.

-35 percent lack health instrance.

-26 percent recieve some sort of federal benefit.

-30 percent of immigrants are Mexican, making them the largest group of U.S. immigrants. One in 20 working men is a mexican immigrant. In 1920 that number was one in 100. In 2000 63 percent of Mexican men lacked a high school diploma and 57 percent of women. 3 percent of men had a colege diploma and 7 percent of women. Thus, Mexicans found themselves in low wage jobs.

Impact on American unskilled workers

Due to the heavy influx of unskilled immigrants the harder it is for unskilled workers already here to advance.

Immigration Control

Borjas