how the economy would benefit from giving legal status and citizenship to the undocumented immigrant...
TRANSCRIPT
HOW THE ECONOMY WOULD BENEFIT FROM GIVING LEGAL STATUS AND
CITIZENSHIP TO THE UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANT POPULATION IN THE UNITED
STATES
The Benefits of Legalization
Undocumented Immigrants in the U.S.
What is an undocumented immigrant?
Foreign-born person who enters the United States without authorization or overstays a temporary authorization
Anyone without legal permission, i.e.: visa, green card, or citizenship, to be present in the United States
Undocumented Immigrants in the U.S.
Estimated 11.4 million undocumented immigrants in the United States
8.9 million from North America, 1.3 million from Asia, 800,000 from South America, 300,000 from Europe, and 200,000 from other countries
70% came from Mexico, El Salvador, and Guatemala
Over 400,000 undocumented immigrants were deported in 2012
Mex
ico
El Sal
vado
r
Guate
mal
a
Hon
dura
s
Phili
ppin
esIn
dia
Korea
China
Ecuad
or
Vietn
am
Oth
er C
ount
ries
01,000,0002,000,0003,000,0004,000,0005,000,0006,000,0007,000,0008,000,000
Country of Birth
Pop
ula
tion
Estimated Undocumented Immigrant Population in the U.S. by Country of Birth
What to do About the Undocumented Population
Comprehensive Immigration Reform laws have failed to passed Congress for many years
Most recent attempt in January of 2013 passed the Senate but the House of Representatives refused
Some believe that giving undocumented immigrants legal status and citizenship is the right and moral thing to do
Others feel that undocumented immigrants are a drain on society and don’t “deserve” to be here, they should be sent “home” as soon as possible
Benefits of Legalization
One study in 2013 showed the positive effects that giving legal status and citizenship to the undocumented population would have on the economy
Broken down into three scenarios:1. Undocumented immigrants are given both legal status and citizenship in 20132. Undocumented immigrants are given legal status in 2013 and citizenship 5 years later3. Undocumented immigrants are given legal status in 2013 but not eligible for citizenship within 10 years
Note: these examples assume that all 11 million undocumented would be granted permission to stay
Scenario 1: Legalization and Citizenship Now
U.S. GDP would grow an
additional $1.4 trillion over 10
years
Americans would earn additional $791 billion in
personal income over 10 years
$116 billion additional tax
revenue to federal
government over 10 years
$68 billion additional tax
revenue to state and local
governments over 10 years
Create average of 203,000
additional jobs per year
Scenario 2: Legal Status Now, Citizenship in 5 Years
U.S. GDP would grow and
additional $1.1 trillion over 10
years
Americans would earn additional $618 billion in
personal income over 10 years
$91 billion additional tax
revenue to federal
government over 10 years
$53 billion additional tax
revenue to state and local
governments over 10 years
Create average of 159,000
additional jobs per year
Scenario 3: Legal Status Now, No Citizenship
U.S. GDP would grow and
additional $832 billion over 10
years
Americans would earn additional $470 billion in
personal income over 10 years
$69 billion additional tax
revenue to federal
government over 10 years
$40 billion additional tax
revenue to state and local
governments over 10 years
Create average of 121,000
additional jobs per year
Sources
Lynch, R., & Oakford, P. (2013, March 20). The economic effects of granting legal status and citizenship to undocumented immigrants. Retrieved from http://goo.gl/IcXUW1
U.S. Department of Homeland Security Office of Immigration Statistics