Illegal Immigration, a Growing Problem or a Helpful Hand?

Illegal immigration, a growing problem or a helpful hand?  As of 2008, the U.S. is estimated to have around sixteen million illegal aliens comprising roughly 5% of the population.  Over the past few years, this has been a very controversial issue both within Congress and society at large.  The term ‘illegal immigrants’ is most commonly used to refer to immigrants from Mexico, Central, and South America who sneak across the border in the hope of a better life.  They aspire to the American dream where they hope for a better lifestyle and more income to support their extended families back home.  Many come, not just because of America’s economic appeal, but also to escape abject poverty, unemployment, and oppression.  Proponents of amnesty for illegal immigrants ask how can we deny them access to the American dream and our principles of universal liberty.  They argue it’s a matter of compassion and enabling more diversity.  Opponents argue that the cost burdens are devastating, that we must follow the rule of law and cannot be selective about which laws we choose to enforce.  They ask, at what point do we say stop?

Although many Americans still don’t consider illegal employment a serious offense, its economic impact has elevated this issue to the national stage.  An objective analysis weighing the benefits against the true costs may likely show that illegal immigrants constitute a net drain on the U.S. economy – although a definitive analysis or conclusion remains elusive.

The negative impact of illegal immigrants and their drain on the U.S. economy is significant.  U.S. News & World Report recently reported in November, 2008 that the U.S. Federal Government’s annual expenditure for aid to illegal immigrants totaled twenty-two billion dollars for welfare, two billion on food assistance programs, and two and a half billion on Medicaid.  According to proceedings from a 1997 meeting of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration and Claims, “Through other violations of our immigration laws, Mexican drug cartels are able to extend their command and control into the United States. Drug smuggling fosters, subsidizes, and is dependent upon continued illegal immigration and alien smuggling.”  These drug cartels account for 80% of the supply of methamphetamines in the U.S.  Furthermore, additional hazardous effects include illegal drunk drivers and murderous illegal aliens who have claimed over nine thousand American citizens’ lives in just the last year alone; plus, criminal gang activity has ballooned as a result of the influx of illegals.  According to the Los Angeles Times, 60% of Mexican gang members in Los Angeles are illegal immigrants.  Are these really the kind of individuals or refugees we should be allowing to immigrate into our country?

The above-mentioned issues do not even begin to quantify the huge negative impact of illegal aliens on a whole host of social services and the associated hidden costs.  This has created a crisis of unprecedented proportions in our social institutions, especially schools and medical facilities.  They have contributed to an erosion in the quality of education by straining the coffers and resources of local school districts.  Medical emergency rooms are closing all over the country, having been bankrupted by the huge influx of illegal aliens who are unable or unwilling to pay for services.  They drive on public roads, send their children to public schools and engage in a host of activities, all of which drain social service coffers and cost the government money.  Many doubt that whatever taxes illegals may pay in the form of sales or unclaimed social security benefits can begin to cover the net drain they incur on social services.

On the other side of the equation, it is clear that illegal immigrants also bring some benefits to American society.  Advocates for illegal immigration claim that illegals keep the economy growing by filling low-wage jobs many Americans won’t do.  The Wall Street Journal reported in 2005 that illegal immigration is positive to our economy and that they generate a net economic benefit.  The Journal reported that, in a $13 trillion economy, illegal immigrant accounted for about 1% of total economic activity, which would mean that they would contribute about $13 billion.  Also, they make contributions toward social security that often go unclaimed, pay sales taxes, and keep the real estate market propped up in remote areas where renters are hard to find.  George Borjas, Professor of Economics and Social Policy at Harvard University, contends that illegal immigration has a more beneficial impact on the middle and upper classes, yet hurts the lower class because it takes away jobs.   Granted, this is only one study, but Borjas claims African Americans are hurt the most since they lose jobs that are filled by illegal aliens.

This raises the question as to whether the U.S. economy truly needs illegal immigrants to fill jobs Americans won’t do and whether we are doing more harm to our society by allowing an influx of illegal cheap labor to take away jobs from the poor.  With unemployment at 6.1%, a seven-year high, would American citizens perhaps consider taking all these lower wage jobs?  Illegals take $18.1 billion a year in wages away from America citizens.  In order to determine if illegal immigrants are beneficial to the overall economy, one must balance the total taxes they pay and labor savings they provide against the real total cost and opportunity cost of all the services they consume as well as economic losses derived from their associated criminal activity.  Unfortunately, there is no definitive answer and a comprehensive objective analysis remains elusive.

Large corporations and the agricultural industry are the primary advocates for doing nothing about illegal immigration and the resultant stalemate.  This is because they are huge beneficiaries of cheap illegal labor that in turn ensures their continued positive profit margins.  It is a truly propitious scenario for employers:  depressed labor costs, an abundant supply of workers who don’t demand benefits, and the avoidance of unions and labor laws.  Huge windfall profits by companies exploiting illegal laborers have resulted in outspoken officials such as Tennessee Senator, Bill Frist and Arizona Governor, Jane Napolitano stepping up and pushing for corporations to be held accountable for their actions.  For example, Wal-Mart paid $11 million in 2005 to settle a federal investigation that found hundreds of illegal immigrants hired by Wal-Mart’s cleaning contractors.  The largest crackdown in U.S. history occurred in 2006 at Swift meat processing plants when the federal government raided their plants and arrested 1,300 illegal immigrant employees.  The problem is that not enough advocates are taking on corporations.  Most recently, Democrat Harry Reid decided to cripple his party’s ability to vote on several amendments that would help legalize illegal immigration and alleviate the burden of illegal immigrants on taxpayers.  This type of stubbornness in Congress is indicative of the mentality that pervades the entire government resulting in almost no progress while the corporate and agricultural sectors continue to reap the benefits.

It’s important to understand the underlying causes of America’s illegal immigration problem.  Mexico, Central and South America are in a state of economic and/or social disarray and immigrants flee not only economic hardship but also civil war, repression, religious persecution, genocide, and dictatorships.  U.S. groups have accused Mexico of collaborating to facilitate even more illegal immigration into the U.S.  For example, over the past several years, Mexico has produced over 70,000 maps marking roads and water tanks for people illegally crossing the border.   However, according to Mauricio Farah of Mexico’s Human Right Commission, “The only thing we are trying to do is warn them of the risks they face and where to get water, so they don’t die.”  Other cases have been found in the Yucatan State of Mexico, where the government produced educational materials on how to stay under the radar once in America, including tips for finding free health care, enrolling children in school, and how to send money home.  Ira Mehlman of the Federation for American Immigration Reform says, “This is really the way they keep their corrupt system afloat, by sending their excess workers to the United States and getting billions of dollars in remittances every year… so, for them, this is a worthwhile investment.”

A primary cause has been the broad-based failure of the Mexican government to fulfill commitments to its own citizens as well as to the United States.  Mexico promised to invest billions in roads, schooling, sanitation, housing, and other infrastructure to support border factories, which would manufacture goods for America.  This plan was part of the North American Free Trade Agreement and was intended as a way to reduce illegal immigration and help the Mexican economy.  Instead, China was able to out-flank Mexico in terms of manufacturing goods import into the U.S.  With such a corrupt government, it is unclear whether Mexico will ever be able to revive its economy sufficiently and offer its people the opportunities similar to those they receive in America.  As a result, millions of immigrants continue to cross the borders and this number will only continue to grow annually.  The Pew Research Center reported that, at current rates, it is projected that by 2050 white American citizens will become a minority and the Hispanic population will become the majority, with two thirds coming directly from illegal immigration.  Eventually, all sides will have to come together and agree on a comprehensive solution that will be able to benefit all.

The U.S. Federal Government has been unable to commit to any form of comprehensive prevention measure that will halt illegal immigration.  If the government continues to offer free benefits, it is human nature for people to take advantage of them.  Compounding the issue are cities such as San Francisco or New York that promote themselves as ‘sanctuary cities’ providing safe haven and a multitude of no-strings benefits for illegal aliens.  Practical solutions must eventually be developed to address this conundrum.  One controversial issue is the Mexican-U.S. Border fence.  In 2006 Congress authorized partial funding mandating the construction of 700 miles of fences and barriers along the border.  The fence will be composed of three staggered walls, guard posts, radar sensors, and active working guards at a total cost of $1.3 billion dollars.  But will it really provide the solution?

Other advocates say the U.S. must remove the magnet that attracts illegals and propose that, if you dry up the source of the problem and eliminate the free benefits, the flow of illegal immigrants will be drastically reduced.  They argue that, by removing the core attraction, a significant proportion of illegals would eventually leave the country by attrition.  This would directly target corporations that supply jobs and would go a long way toward removing the magnet.  Putting stricter restrictions on these companies and making it a felony to hire illegals would create a strong incentive for immigrants to apply for citizenship.  Eliminating free benefits for illegals will send many of them back home once life in the U.S. becomes much more difficult.  Those who choose to gain citizenship through proper, legal channels will be granted all the freedoms and benefits that are granted to legal residents and U.S. citizens.  This raises another major component that many people believe must be addressed as part of a comprehensive immigration policy:  a practical guest worker program.  It’s not enough to simply enforce the borders or dry up the magnet of illegal corporate/agricultural employment.  These must go hand-in-hand with a fair and efficient guest worker program that still results in providing the immigrant labor resources needed while allowing them to pay their fair share of taxes, receive rightful benefits and to travel home as dictated by seasonal employment and personal family needs.

Unfortunately, the problem is multi-faceted and the solution will require a comprehensive approach.  It will be very difficult if not impossible to find a solution that pleases everyone.  Any viable solution will require addressing as many interests as possible, but must ultimately follow the rule of law and be in the best interests of the largest number of American Citizens.  So should our compassion outweigh legal justice?

Considering all the pros and cons of illegal immigration, does the end really justify the means?  What will happen to our society if millions of illegals are allowed to continue to colonize America?  Will such a transformation benefit society as a whole or lead to continued polarization and social degradation?