Public Policy Immigration Essay
Ryan Brushingham
12/12/14
Public Policy
Immigration Policy
Immigration is important to a nation’s growth and economy. As of 2012, U.S. immigrant population is 40.8 million, or 13% of total U.S. population (Nwosu, Batalova, Auclair, 2014). Between 2011 and 2012, foreign-born population in the US increased by 447,000, or 1.1% (Nwosu, Batalova, Auclair, 2014). 16% of the United States civilian labor force, or 25.7 million out of 157.6 million workers is made up of immigrants (Nwosu, Batalova, Auclair, 2014). The top 5 U.S. states for number of immigrants are California with 10.3 million, New York with 4.4 million, Texas with 4.3 million, Florida with 3.7 million, and New Jersey with 1.9 million (Nwosu, Batalova, Auclair, 2014). However, immigration is a controversial issue. Just like many issues, the Democrats and Republicans have apposing viewpoints when it comes to immigration policy. The Democrats are pro-amnesty, while Republicans are anti-amnesty. In the United States, most of the illegal immigrants enter the country through the US/Mexico border. As of 2011, there are around 11,500,000 illegal immigrants in the United States (ProCon.org, 2013).
With this many illegal immigrants in the country, it causes problems. For example, it puts an economic burden on tax-paying citizens by taking away jobs from US citizens and giving some businesses unfair economic advantages. Since illegal immigrants are undocumented, businesses can pay them below the minimum wage. Businesses that use this tactic as a way to use cheap labor can put other competing companies out of business. When a business uses undocumented workers, that company’s good or service price is lowered. On the other hand, businesses that use only documented workers are at risk from being out of business because they cannot compete with the prices of the company that uses undocumented workers. Increased crime rate is also another problem. A few years ago, the Obama Administration enacted Operation Fast and
12/12/14
Public Policy
Immigration Policy
Immigration is important to a nation’s growth and economy. As of 2012, U.S. immigrant population is 40.8 million, or 13% of total U.S. population (Nwosu, Batalova, Auclair, 2014). Between 2011 and 2012, foreign-born population in the US increased by 447,000, or 1.1% (Nwosu, Batalova, Auclair, 2014). 16% of the United States civilian labor force, or 25.7 million out of 157.6 million workers is made up of immigrants (Nwosu, Batalova, Auclair, 2014). The top 5 U.S. states for number of immigrants are California with 10.3 million, New York with 4.4 million, Texas with 4.3 million, Florida with 3.7 million, and New Jersey with 1.9 million (Nwosu, Batalova, Auclair, 2014). However, immigration is a controversial issue. Just like many issues, the Democrats and Republicans have apposing viewpoints when it comes to immigration policy. The Democrats are pro-amnesty, while Republicans are anti-amnesty. In the United States, most of the illegal immigrants enter the country through the US/Mexico border. As of 2011, there are around 11,500,000 illegal immigrants in the United States (ProCon.org, 2013).
With this many illegal immigrants in the country, it causes problems. For example, it puts an economic burden on tax-paying citizens by taking away jobs from US citizens and giving some businesses unfair economic advantages. Since illegal immigrants are undocumented, businesses can pay them below the minimum wage. Businesses that use this tactic as a way to use cheap labor can put other competing companies out of business. When a business uses undocumented workers, that company’s good or service price is lowered. On the other hand, businesses that use only documented workers are at risk from being out of business because they cannot compete with the prices of the company that uses undocumented workers. Increased crime rate is also another problem. A few years ago, the Obama Administration enacted Operation Fast and
Cited: “Illegal Immigration, Population Estimates in the United States, 1969-2011-Illegal Immigration Solutions-ProCon.org.” ProCon.org Headlines. ProCon.org. 2 July 2013. Web 10 Dec. 2014. Jr., Tom Howell. "Illegals Still Get Medicare Benefits, but Feds Vow Crackdown, $70M Savings." Washington Times. The Washington Times, 7 Jan. 2014. Web. 12 Dec. 2014. "Apply US Citizenship - 8 Steps to Become an US Citizen." Apply US Citizenship - 8 Steps to Become an US Citizen. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 Nov. 2014. Nwosu, Chiamaka, Jeanne Batalova, and Gregory Auclair. "Frequently Requested Statistics on Immigrants and Immigration in the United States." Migrationpolicy.org. N.p., 28 Apr. 2014. Web. 05 Nov. 2014.