Immigration and Poverty - Essay Example

Final Argument Essay The rate of poverty in the world keeps on increasing with every decade. For the prospects of a better future people choose to leave their homelands and migrate mainly to the developed nations. Immigration has been a subject of debate with an increase in hate crimes against the immigrants. It needs to be understood that every being has a right to choose for a better and secure future and this accounts for one of the reasons why people choose immigration as an option (Education for Justice 2006). The ageing population of the developed nations is increasing and hence it can be beneficial for the host countries as well (Hainmueller et al 2007). Immigration also assists in the development and understand of cultural diversities and helps in promoting anti racist sentiments (Rowthorn 2004). But at one time immigration becomes a problem for the host country as many say that it has become a problem for United States as it has reached its peak. Many point out this argument and this would be further discussed in this essay along with the argument of the proponents of immigration who believe that immigration is helping the countries to prosper in every way. Immigrants mainly belong to the underdeveloped nations where the financial crisis pushes them to immigrate. Policies which include the rules of free trade actually serve as a burden rather than reliefs for the poor countries making them dip into poverty even more. These underdeveloped nations have debts to pay off and much of their income goes into actually paying the interest of these debts. Moreover the developed nations do pledge to assist these countries by providing them aid but these developed countries never reach their set goal. All these factors contribute to the increasing poverty in the world to an extent that it has been reported that over the past three decades 60 nations in the world have sank deeper into poverty. The people living in these countries are left with no options and the final ray of hope for them is immigration. It is the only way for them to lead a better life ahead (Education for Justice 2006). Immigration can also serve to be beneficial for the countries where these people migrate. This is because the developed nations have more of an aging population which they have to cater. Increased life expectancy and better treatment options serve as reasons for this. Another cause is the decreased birth rates in these nations. This results in low skilled labor and hence immigrants can serve to fill in these gaps. Also the immigrants pay higher taxes comparatively and this can serve to compensate for the amount required to cater to the aged. Thus, immigration serves to promote the betterment of the immigrants as well as proves to be beneficial to the economy of the host nation (Rowthorn 2004). Most of them enter USA to earn a better living there as it is a developed country. The proponents of immigration believe that they have a positive effect on the economy of the United States as these immigrants tend to work a lot for the service sector. A report known as Perryman report of 2008 found that these illegal immigrants were adding up to $245 billion to the GDP of United States. These proponents believe that it is because of these immigrants that the service sector of United States is booming. The wages that the some immigrants take from their employers is quite less as compared to the wages written in the constitution and this is because it gives an edge to employers. The proponents believe that immigration can create a lot of jobs which naturally other citizens of United States would not be willing to take. It is because of their courtesy that all the sectors of the United States are working in an organized manner (FOX NEWS 2010; Illegal Immigration). Despite of this understanding there has been much opposition to the policy of immigration and immigrants have to face racism in the host country. The opponents argue that the immigrants actually take up their jobs and the result is lower employment for them. This point has been argued against as it has been analyzed the economic impact of immigration is not great and immigrants serve in to fill many vacant places and assist in boosting the income as a whole. Opponents also present the fact that not all immigrants who actually come to the host countries are actually educated and this results in unemployment for them as well. The net result is an increase in unemployment and crime rate. To counter this, it has been seen that immigrants even adapt to the jobs of lower income which are not taken up by the nationals and unemployment is not a major factor amongst them (Rowthorn 2004). A study done by Federation of American Immigration Reform (FAIR) showed that the government of United States was bearing a cost of $113 billion per year on the immigrants (FOX NEWS 2010). The opponents point out this report and argue that this budget can otherwise be allocated on the civilians of United States for their betterment. Not only this, many of the immigrants who enter the territory of United States may have some diseases of the third world countries which can also affect the civilians of the United States. As a great number of immigrants are entering the territory the population of US would increase to alarming levels which would further cause problems for the government. It is believed by these opponents that these immigrants are a major cause of road accidents in United States because of which many legal civilians are killed (Brown 2007). No common consensus as to how to deal with this situation has been raised. It is not economically favorable for the United States to deport all these workers because it will lead to a loss of valuable employees and a considerable reduction in workforce. At the same time, it will also not be economically feasible to arrange for transport for the evacuation of the millions of immigrants (Lilly, 2008). It has also been seen that the Mexicans are more devoted and hard working than the American laborers. Hence, it is argued that they deserve proper payback in return for their services (Welch, 2007). This leaves a very complex situation and methods are required to be dealt with this issue of immigration considering all factors. Immigration is hence a very broad issue. With legal immigration there is also the opposite which is known as illegal immigration which has its own complexities. It lays down an impact on the economy of the host country and it affects the life of the immigrants for years. This affect on the immigrants is not only economical but also social as well as cultural. In today’s world, when human mind has broadened and it is realized that all human beings have equal rights, it should be realized that if a person opts for immigration for the prospect of a better future, hindrance should not be created for him. This would be unjust with him as well his opportunities for a better life would be taken from him. References Education for Justice. Looking at Root Causes: Why do Immigrants Come to the U.S.? (2006) Hainmueller, Jens, and Michael J. Hiscox. "Educated Preferences: Explaining Attitudes Toward Immigration in Europe." International Organization. 61.2 (2007): 399-442. Print. Rowthorn, R. The Economic Impact of Immigration. A Civitas Online Report.(2004) http://www.civitas.org.uk/pdf/Rowthorn_Immigration.pdf Illegal Immigration Illegal Immigration Costs U.S. $113 Billion a Year, Study Finds. Ed Barnes. FOX NEWS. 2010 Welch, Bryan. “Putting a Stop to Slave Labour.” UTNE READER (2007). Web 1 Nov 2010. < http://www.utne.com/2007-03-01/PuttingaStoptoSlaveLabor.aspx> Read More