Is Immigration Good for U. S. Economy?

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Conversations about immigration laws lately have very quickly turned into heated debates. People hold tight to the ‘this land is my land and I don’t want to share’ mentality; however, common sense and even a limited understanding of economics tells you easing immigration requirements is good for the U. S. economy. After all, why wouldn’t an increase in the population of tax payers and consumers ultimately lead to more money flowing into the economy in the form consumer dollars and taxes?

A research paper by Gordon H. Hanson, a professor of economics in the Department of Economics at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) goes over several very real reasons why this is true.

Immigration policy affects the pace of innovation in the U. S. economy, the supply of labor by high-skilled workers, the ability of regional economies to adjust to business cycle fluctuations, and the integrity of local, state, and federal government finances. While current policies tend to do a poor job on these counts, designing a system that would make immigration good for America is easily within reach.

One fear of a large group of Americans is that immigrants may get jobs that should go to Americans; however, they do not take into account the number of businesses that would benefit from a better economy and job growth due to an increase in population. A few other fears are that the person coming here would not be a productive member of society, would choose to live off of U. S. welfare, or would be a criminal; however, characteristics in the types of immigrants who choose to come to the U.S. varies vastly.

A survey by the National Science Foundation found that from 1960 to the late 2000s, the share of PhDs earned in mathematics, computer sciences, and engineering by foreign students increased from 20% to 75% and from 20% to 50% in life sciences. Persons with this degree of education would benefit any country they choose to live in.

The three ways for a non-citizen to live in the U.S. legally are the H1-B visa, employer-sponsored green card, or family-sponsored green card. The U. S. caps the amount of H1-B visas awarded yearly to 65,000 and allows a non-U.S. citizen to remain in the county for three years if working. The number of employer-sponsored green cards awarded each year is limited to 150,000 and allows foreigners to stay for as long as they want as long as they keep a job and live here peacefully. Family green cards are awarded either because the immigrant has a close U.S. relative, (capped at 640,000) or to people married to a U. S. citizen, which is not capped at all.

Kristen Drybread, married to an illegal immigrant, tells a pretty heart-wrenching story in an article in The Denver Post. She and her daughter have been fighting to get her husband back since he was deported due to a technicality in how the U.S. determines who stays in the country. This story is one of many that don’t make a lot of sense. The fact that they want to be here and seek to make their life and their family’s lives better seems like a noble enough motivation and courts should have the freedom to rule on a case by case basis rather than a complex and stiff immigration policy.

Considering the alternatives, easing the path to citizenship and changing or eliminating the caps might be in the United States’ best interest. Foreigners may choose to stay here illegally and pay no taxes, and the U. S. can spend tax money deporting them; or they may choose to leave and take their money and skilled labor else ware. Staying illegally is more of a desperate act and doesn’t seem to mean a person is necessarily immoral.

Change in immigration policy is needed in order for the U. S. to take advantage of the economic potential. This is supported by expert opinion and facts rather than fear. Banking in a big way is possible and it’s in the United States’ best interest to begin immigration reform now.

Many thanks to The Cato Institute and The Denver Post for their research assistance.

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