Someone like Donald Trump could give you the impression that immigrants are ruining the country and that they aren’t contributing to anything. However, immigrants are the base of our economy and ,that alone, is enough to show that immigrants make a difference. In an article from KQED, “Immigrant Shift”, it talks about how immigrants are the building blocks for the economy and the author states, “…one out of every three working people in California is an immigrant … Our economy is shaped by these workers and entrepreneurs — 6 million people who’ve found a job in the Golden State”. What they’re saying is that without immigrants, our society and economy wouldn’t be as balanced as it is now. Immigrants help produce many of the products that we use everyday, as a matter of fact, California is one of the top states in America and immigrants help it get there.
Nevertheless, there are also negative effects from immigration that, somewhat, are more noticeable in society. An article from Politico Magazine, “Yes,Immigration Hurts American Workers”, it mentions that a lot of businesses would hire immigrants because they are willing to work for a lower wage. The author, George Borjas, stated “When the supply of workers goes up, the price that firms have to pay to hire workers goes down…those skill groups that received the most immigrants will still offer lower pay relative to those that received fewer immigrants”. Which means that while the immigrants are taking the jobs, native americans are forced to get jobs that pay lower wages. The article also mentions that immigrants get more government assistance than native americans meaning their low paying jobs isn’t enough. Immigration is great of business and the economy, but for the other people, it’s taking a toll on them.
Money and labor isn’t the only thing that immigrants bring to this country, in addition, they bring their culture making America very diverse. Everywhere you go you will see the different kinds of food and style that is imbedded into our society. In a NYtimes article called, “Filipino Food Arrives, in a Taco, at 2nd City and Swell Dive”, it talks about how Filipino foods are brought into the city of New York. This is great because people can try different types of food around the world without leaving New York. The owner stated that he “wanted it to taste as if it came from a street cart in the Philippines, and it does”. Without people coming from around the world, how could we learn about all the different types of flavors? With this in mind, immigrants help our society experience new things and they can create new businesses from it.
Although, there are immigrants that aren’t so helpful to society because they come here to escape from their old hometown. In a New York times article, “New Donald Trump Ad Highlights Father of Teenager Killed by Illegal Immigrant”, shows why a lot of people in society are against immigrants. They come into this country and cause pain to others which gives them a bad image and falls into the stereotype that immigrants are bad. Trump stated “They’re bringing drugs. They’re bringing crime. They’re rapists. And some, I assume, are good people”. The amount of criminals outweigh the amount of good citizens which possibly shows that immigrants might be making America worse than better.
Some would say immigration is a bad thing, but you can’t deny that it doesn’t benefit the economy. However, Immigrants increase the rate or crimes here in America which does not make them look good in the public’s eye. More immigrants are coming each year and that creates job problems for people who already live here. Businesses would much rather hire someone, immigrants who are desperately looking for a job, who is willing to work for a lower pay. There will always be two sides towards immigration, but who’s to say which side is right?
Citations
Borjas, By George J. “Yes, Immigration Hurts American Workers.” POLITICO
Magazine. Web. 16 Sept. 2016.
Hossaini, Sara. “Immigrant Shift.” KQED News. Web. 16 Sept. 2016.
Haberman, Maggie. “New Donald Trump Ad Highlights Father of Teenager Killed by Illegal
Immigrant.” The New York Times. The New York Times, 15 Sept. 2016. Web. 16
Sept. 2016.
Mishan, Ligaya. “Filipino Food Arrives, in a Taco, at 2nd City and Swell Dive.” The New
York Times. The New York Times, 15 Sept. 2016. Web. 16 Sept. 2016.