Positive And Negative Effects Of Illegal Immigration

Illegal Immigration is a major issue in the United States, particularly in Arizona. Nearly 47% of all illegal border crossing occur between Arizona and Mexico. Of course, there are two sides to every story and there is no exception when discussing this. On the negative side the total cost of education, medical, and incarceration in about $2.6 billion every year, which comes from tax payers dollars (“Immigration Issues”). However, the positive side is that the people that cross over help the economy since they are willing to take low wage jobs that most Americans would not take. Whether the negative outweighs the positive it is necessary that both sides are heard and understood by the people majorly affected by the costs, the tax payers. Firstly, when immigrants cross the border illegally or overstay their visas they are breaking US law. Although, the government punishes few if any of these illegal immigrants instead of having consequences for their actions they allow for them to apply for social services (i.e. welfare, food stamps, etc.) and given a pathway for citizenship. In states like Arizona these illegal immigrants are a burden costing between $1.3 and $2.6 billion …show more content…
The United States is seen as a safe haven, a place where anything is possible as long as you believe, that is the “American Dream”. Illegal immigrants that come over to the US are reckoned to have motives consistent with the “American Dream”. This is resembled through their willingness to be employed with low paying jobs such as produce pickers and farm hands that most Americans will not take (“Immigration Pro Con”). Like the first immigrants to the America’s they are willing to start from scratch and build their way up to the life they dreamed of. Starting from the bottom has the capability to increase the overall money flow in the economy and help boost