Immigration is a controversial issue that has attracted the attention of many individuals in the United States of America. Illegal immigrants in the nation infuriate several native-born residents. People, for the most part, are filled with concerns that immigrants generally compete for jobs, modify America’s social fabric, as well as, unfairly consume government benefits. They are concerned that our culture is slowly losing its character because foreigners who fail to integrate into our political and social life. In spite of these concerns, most Americans are starting to realize the advantages of immigration to the country. America is generally known as a nation of immigrants, therefore, according to (Hirschman 65; Gold 408), now is the time to discover a better way to accept the striving, optimistic immigrants who will view the U.S as a land with many opportunities. Now is the time to support immigration in order to strengthen our economy and additionally strengthen the future of our nation. Further, immigration has net positive effects on our society as well as culture. Therefore, there is need for a common-sense, all-inclusive immigration reform.
The Benefits of Immigration to the US economy and the Business Community
For the most part, immigrants have been critical assets to the economy and they additionally contribute greatly to the country’s tax revenue as well as total economic output. For instance, in 2013, immigrants contributed at least $1.6 trillion to the GDP (Gross Domestic Product) of the country (Estrada). Economists have interestingly realized that immigrants indeed complete the workers who are native-born and raise the living standards for all American citizens. Moreover, because immigrants are local communities’ consumers, they establish a huge demand for both starting and small businesses and enhance the economy as well. Also, immigrant entrepreneurs have contributed to the economy significantly by establishing businesses as well as contributing to the growth of technological innovation. Even though the economic contributions of immigrants are compelling, there is a possibility that they could be greater (Gold 411). If immigrants are given the chance to easily apply for citizenship, then more immigrants who are unauthorized could easily take part in the formal economy. Several legal and political battles are inhibiting many immigrants from taking part in the formal economy. As a result, the economy of the U.S will not prosper effectively. Therefore, supporting immigration is key for economic prosperity. Immigration keeps our nation on the cutting edge. It keeps our economy strong and powerful.
Immigration and the Business Community
In the United States, some of the most influential businessmen are immigrants or immigrants’ children. They have established new industries that have established new jobs as well as new success for the American citizenry (Gold 413). In recent years, immigrants have founded one in four tech companies. One in four new owners of small businesses were immigrants. This is particularly evident in the tech industry. For instance, Google’s founder, Sergey Brin, migrated from the Soviet Union when he was a child nearly four decades ago. Also, Jerry Yang, the founder of Yahoo, fled Taiwan at a tender age of 10, and Satya Nadella, Microsoft’s CEO emigrated from India (Estrada). Indeed, in 2010, more than 0.4% of Fortune 500 corporations were founded by immigrants or their children (Estrada). This consists of both major firms from the past few years such as Apple, AT"T, as well as Google (Estrada). It also includes older firms such as General Electric, Mc Donald’s, as well as Bank of America. Fortune 500 corporations are certainly a formidable part of the country’s economy, especially the 0.4% established by immigrants or immigrants’ children. The above-mentioned immigrants came to the U.S looking for opportunity and now they want to share their opportunity with other individuals. In 2010 alone, immigrant corporations have generated more than $1.7 trillion in government revenue (Estrada). Also, in the same year, they employed 3.6 million individuals in the U.S.
In addition to the contributions of immigrants in big businesses, they have also contributed to the economy as small-businesses owners. Immigrants make up approximately 0.28% of owners of small businesses and are two times more probably to become entrepreneurs than native-born Americans (Estrada). In 2010, small businesses that were established by immigrants generated more than $775 billion in sales alone and $100 billion in earnings (Estrada). They also paid more than $126 billion in payroll taxes (Estrada). Small businesses that are owned by immigrants provide employment opportunities for nearly 4 million individuals. Enrique Castaneda is a small business owner. He came from Mexico at age 17 and in 1992, he embarked on starting his own cleaning firm. His company has quickly grown from apartments and carpets to water and fire damage even though he started with an investment of roughly $1,000 for cleaning and chemical supplies. His firm has additionally expanded to the industry of cleaning crime scenes as well as a biohazard. Castaneda asserts that his initial investment has expanded tremendously, and the company itself has expanded from a single individual at its development to approximately 20 workers (Estrada). His company represents hard work and entrepreneurship that immigrants bring to the business community of the U.S.
Indeed, most founders of small businesses and high-tech companies who came to the U.S. from foreign countries came to America as students and then began their careers in business after graduation. Many immigrants are highly motivated people who desire to reside in the U.S. after graduation to work, start businesses, as well as create innovative ideas (Kerr, and Kerr). For this reason, they are indeed a great talent source as well as an economic development engine.
According to one study, in 2006, approximately 24.2% of patents filed from America were based on the hard work of foreigners residing in America. The percentage is a rise from 7.3% in 1998 (West 441). Several of these patent-holders held prestigious degrees in technology, science, math or engineering and received education in American Universities. 0.53% of them completed their University education in the United States, indicating that there are numerous benefits in bringing aliens to America, giving them an education, as well as maintaining them here in American jobs. Scholars Keith Maskus, Gnanaraj Chellaraj, and Aaditya Matoo have carried out extensive research on the effects of immigration on the application of patents as well as awards. They have revealed that skilled immigrants have a beneficial effect on patent generation in the U.S. Their numbers show that rising “the number of foreign graduate students would raise patent applications by 4.7 percent, university patent grants by 5.3 percent and non-university patent grants by 6.7 percent (West 441).”
Benefits of Unauthorized Immigrants to the Economy
All immigrants, whether legal or illegal, contribute to the economy. Presently, we have about 11.3 million illegal immigrants residing in the U.S. These immigrants contribute approximately $11.64 billion in local and state taxes each year (Estrada). According to the Social Security Administration, illegal immigrants contribute about $13 billion in payroll taxes yearly (Estrada), which aids in strengthening the Social Security System. Reforms such as the Deferred Action for Parents of Americans (DAPA) and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) would increase the economic gains from illegal immigrants (Estrada). According to the Institute for Taxation and Economic Policy, implementing and expanding DACA and DAPA would result in a rise in local and state revenue by at least $805 million annually. In addition to increasing revenue, these strategies will expand the economy of the U.S by $230 billion over the next 10 years (Estrada). Such growth in the economy would increase salaries for all employees and establish hundreds of new employment opportunities.
Research suggests that new immigrants come to the U.S as young workers when they are diligent in paying taxes and not heavily depending on health care or pension. 24.6% of adult immigrants, for example, are aged 25 to 34 and 28.3% are between 35 to 44 years old (West 437). Only 4.4% are 65 years and above. This distribution demonstrates that immigration certainly enhances the economic advantages of immigration whether legal or illegal. Young immigrants are more probable to pay taxes than to need public services. Also, they tend to become homeowners and, in turn, pay property taxes. Numerous studies have brought to light that immigrants pay Social Security, income, as well as Medicare taxes. A report by both Cato Institute and National Immigration Forum estimated that both legal and illegal immigrants paid $162 billion yearly in the state, federal, as well as local taxes (West 438). The National Research Council carried out a study on immigrants and concluded that an immigrant pays approximately $1,800 more in taxes than she or he costs in government benefits. A popular myth concerning illegal immigrants is that they escape taxes. This is, however, not true. In fact, several pay taxes even when they are not eligible to obtain the benefits of social services. Immigrants pay sales taxes on all goods they purchase just like any consumer.
Social Benefits of Immigration
Two researchers, Giovanni Peri and Gianmarco Ottaviano have examined the benefit of cultural diversity in the U.S. They assert that America greatly benefits from immigrant businesses such as French beauty shops, Italian restaurants, Belgian chocolate shops, Chinese markets, German breweries, as well as Indian tea houses. Through the development of culture, food, and artistic expression, urban cities with greater diversity demonstrate higher wages. Peri and Ottaviano claim that American employees gain from immigrants since a culturally diverse environment makes native-born individuals more productive (West 445). Furthermore, there is a correlation between innovation, geographic diversity, and productivity as well. Metropolitan areas that have creative and diverse residents are likely to be more productive. This, as a result, increases home prices, innovation, civic pride, and the local economy.
The internationalization of culture and arts has resulted in many talented performers and directors from abroad. There are none foreign-born Hollywood directors who have gotten several Academy Awards. People such as Mikhail Baryshnikov, Salma Hayek, Dan Aykroyd, and Jim Carrey are some examples of immigrants who have brought numerous social benefits. They have enriched the world of dancing and television. They have enriched the film industry. Hayek is an actress. She was born in Mexico. She came to America to study at the age of 12. She has played leading roles in films such as Wild Wild West and Mi Vida Loca (West 446). Baryshnikov is a famous ballet dancer who defected from the Soviet Union to the U.S.
Similarly, immigration has brought numerous business to the world of sports. It is hard to think about present-day American baseball without immigration. In the past, white Americans played baseball, then was combined with American Hispanics as well as African-Americans. Presently, we have athletes from the Dominican Republic, Japan, Jamaica, Cuba, and Venezuela. 0.29 percent of Major League Baseball players are foreign-born, primarily from Venezuela or the Dominican Republic. Sammy Sosa an immigrant from the Dominican Republic, is one of the best home-run hitter.
Further, philanthropy and education have benefited from immigrants’ contributions. For instance, Vartan Gregorian is from Iran. He migrated to the U.S in 1956, where he ultimately became a provost at the University of Pennsylvania. He was also the president of Brown University. He was once the president of the Carnegie Corporation of New York, a popular philanthropic foundation in America. As an author, educator, and professor, he brought a powerful sense of innovation to the philanthropy world as well as education. As a result, he showed institutions how to better the conditions of the disadvantaged and minority groups.
Conclusion
Immigration is indeed good for America. It is crystal clear that they have played a crucial role in the development of U.S. Immigrants are a marked driving force in the establishment of intellectual property and new businesses in the United States. They have also socially benefited the society. Contrary to people who are concerned that immigrants will take away employment opportunities and strain the American economy, research demonstrates that immigrants positively contribute to the American economy as well as the richness of its culture. Therefore, Americans should support immigration since it is beneficial and humane to the country.
Works Cited
Estrada, Cesar Maximiliano. "How Immigrants Positively Affect The Business Community And The U.S. Economy - Center For American Progress". Center For American Progress, 2016, https://www.americanprogress.org/issues/immigration/news/2016/06/22/140124/how-immigrants-positively-affect-the-business-community-and-the-u-s-economy/. Accessed 15 Dec 2018.
Gold, Steven J. "Immigration Benefits America". Society, vol 46, no. 5, 2009, pp. 408-411. Springer Nature, doi:10.1007/s12115-009-9235-4.
Hirschman, Charles. "Immigration To The United States: Recent Trends And Future Prospects". Malays Journal Of Economic Studies, vol 51, no. 1, 2014, pp. 69-85., https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4302270/. Accessed 15 Dec 2018.
Kerr, Sari Pekkala, and William R. Kerr. "Economic Impacts Of Immigration: A Survey". SSRN Electronic Journal, 2010. Elsevier BV, doi:10.2139/ssrn.1228902. Accessed 16 Dec 2018.
West, Darrell M. "The Costs And Benefits Of Immigration". Political Science Quarterly, vol 126, no. 3, 2011, pp. 427-443. Wiley, doi:10.1002/j.1538-165x.2011.tb00707.x.
