One of the major hot button topics for the 2016 election is Immigration Reform. Discussions of building walls, sending illegal immigrants “home”, and abolishing birthright citizenship have all been tossed around as resolutions. While the other side reminds us how America was founded on the principle of opened doors - a land of freedom and opportunity. They argue that the majority of immigrants and undocumented workers do not hurt society as much as they enhance it, culturally and even economically. It is widely known that the majority of undocumented workers in the U.S. are here for one reason – to work. They come to work here, even at an abusive below minimum wage, because it is still a better life than in their own home country and holds
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economy. Whether admitted or not, unauthorized immigrants who live and work in the U.S. have become a vital part of the economy. Although many demonize the undocumented worker for not paying their way, reform could allow these workers to actively participate in the economy by increasing tax revenue. Often overlooked, unauthorized immigrants currently contribute to the economy. In 2012, unauthorized immigrants paid an estimated $11.84 billion in state property and sales taxes – key resource generators for school funding, police and fire stations, infrastructure and other public services (Gardner, 2015). The question must then be asked, is the U.S. ready to loose such a significant resource? Immigration reform that would keep these same unauthorized workers here would only permit them to have a more positive impact on the economy. The country would experience an increase in tax revenue, expansion the nation’s gross domestic product (GDP) and creating jobs (Gardner, 2015). Robert Lynch and Patrick Oakford offered perspective on the possible economic impact in their 2013 article “The Economic Effects of Granting Legal Status and Citizenship to Undocumented Immigrants”
economy. Whether admitted or not, unauthorized immigrants who live and work in the U.S. have become a vital part of the economy. Although many demonize the undocumented worker for not paying their way, reform could allow these workers to actively participate in the economy by increasing tax revenue. Often overlooked, unauthorized immigrants currently contribute to the economy. In 2012, unauthorized immigrants paid an estimated $11.84 billion in state property and sales taxes – key resource generators for school funding, police and fire stations, infrastructure and other public services (Gardner, 2015). The question must then be asked, is the U.S. ready to loose such a significant resource? Immigration reform that would keep these same unauthorized workers here would only permit them to have a more positive impact on the economy. The country would experience an increase in tax revenue, expansion the nation’s gross domestic product (GDP) and creating jobs (Gardner, 2015). Robert Lynch and Patrick Oakford offered perspective on the possible economic impact in their 2013 article “The Economic Effects of Granting Legal Status and Citizenship to Undocumented Immigrants”