Immigration is a politically charged topic, in which debate continues over policies and reform of the system. Some consider the costs of healthcare, education, and social services arguing that undocumented workers add to the national debt. However, as baby boomers retire and more people obtain higher education, economic trends suggest that illegal immigrants are needed in the United States. Deporting illegal immigrants would have staggering consequences for the American economy. Although they do not have authorization to work in the United States, it is undeniable that they contribute to the economy. Illegal immigrants supply approximately $652 billion annually to the US gross domestic product (Perryman). The nation’s GDP would not only decline,
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As the baby boomer generation approaches the retirement phase, more jobs open up. Those pursuing higher education consequentially increase the need for unskilled workers. The demand for unskilled workers will continue to rise as long as the population gets older (Gerking). This demand is a cycle: the more people that retire, the more workers are needed. If illegal immigrants were to be deported, other Americans would have to take the places of these people. To make up for the loss of unskilled, undocumented workers in the country, better-educated workers than ones who only have a high school diploma would be drawn into less skilled jobs (Perryman). This yields negative consequences: higher wages, and therefore higher prices, which affect living standards and damper economic growth. However, some argue that similarly skilled Americans are forced to either accept lower pay or not work at all (Davidson). Although this effect is irrefutably negative, the impact on everyone else is positive. Illegal immigrants and skilled workers supplement one another, “Undocumented workers do not compete with skilled laborers—instead, they complement them” (Peri). Although the comparably native unskilled workers and immigrants are in competition, the undocumented workers benefit the majority of the population not in that …show more content…
Fortunately, they have assistance for retirement: “The post-boom generation’s burden to finance their retirement is greatly alleviated by undocumented immigrants” (Davidson). Illegal workers contribute to the baby boomers’ funds, which relieve some tension for the generation after. Without the aid of these workers, the financial burden would be much higher, therefore stirring negative consequences. Social Security is widely debated, but undocumented workers contribute more than they receive. Illegal immigrants contribute approximately $15 billion a year to Social Security through payroll taxes and only take out $1 billion (Gerking). Approximately $14 billion a year are left in the system by undocumented immigrants because very few are eligible to receive these benefits. Thus, they are a positive contributing factor to the Social Security system. Illegal immigrants have also contributed toward the trust fund. Over the years, undocumented workers have contributed nearly 10 percent of the Social Security Trust Fund (Hillman). The Social Security fund faces a solvency crisis that would be even worse if it were not for these payments. Quantifying the negative effect of taking undocumented immigrants out of the economy emphasizes their
As the baby boomer generation approaches the retirement phase, more jobs open up. Those pursuing higher education consequentially increase the need for unskilled workers. The demand for unskilled workers will continue to rise as long as the population gets older (Gerking). This demand is a cycle: the more people that retire, the more workers are needed. If illegal immigrants were to be deported, other Americans would have to take the places of these people. To make up for the loss of unskilled, undocumented workers in the country, better-educated workers than ones who only have a high school diploma would be drawn into less skilled jobs (Perryman). This yields negative consequences: higher wages, and therefore higher prices, which affect living standards and damper economic growth. However, some argue that similarly skilled Americans are forced to either accept lower pay or not work at all (Davidson). Although this effect is irrefutably negative, the impact on everyone else is positive. Illegal immigrants and skilled workers supplement one another, “Undocumented workers do not compete with skilled laborers—instead, they complement them” (Peri). Although the comparably native unskilled workers and immigrants are in competition, the undocumented workers benefit the majority of the population not in that …show more content…
Fortunately, they have assistance for retirement: “The post-boom generation’s burden to finance their retirement is greatly alleviated by undocumented immigrants” (Davidson). Illegal workers contribute to the baby boomers’ funds, which relieve some tension for the generation after. Without the aid of these workers, the financial burden would be much higher, therefore stirring negative consequences. Social Security is widely debated, but undocumented workers contribute more than they receive. Illegal immigrants contribute approximately $15 billion a year to Social Security through payroll taxes and only take out $1 billion (Gerking). Approximately $14 billion a year are left in the system by undocumented immigrants because very few are eligible to receive these benefits. Thus, they are a positive contributing factor to the Social Security system. Illegal immigrants have also contributed toward the trust fund. Over the years, undocumented workers have contributed nearly 10 percent of the Social Security Trust Fund (Hillman). The Social Security fund faces a solvency crisis that would be even worse if it were not for these payments. Quantifying the negative effect of taking undocumented immigrants out of the economy emphasizes their