Immigration Reform

By: Kayla Vitalbo

Ever since we became a nation we have been known as the land of the free and have been attracting immigrants from all over the world, and even in modern times there is no exception for this attraction. There has been talk about a reform in the immigration system, which would consist of granting visas to foreign entrepreneurs looking to start businesses in the U.S. and those looking to attend college and attain a degree in the science or math field and stay in the country after graduation. The President is all for reforming the immigration system, and he believes that “[W]e’ve got to bring our legal immigration system into the 21st century… if you are a citizen, you shouldn’t have to wait years before your family is able to join you in America... If you’re a foreign student who wants to pursue a career in science or technology, or a foreign entrepreneur who wants to start a business with the backing of American investors, we should help you do that here. Because if you succeed, you’ll create American businesses and American jobs. You’ll help us grow our economy. You’ll help us strengthen our middle class.” Not only could this reform create more jobs in our economy with our unemployment rate at 7.5% (which should be between 4-6% to be at full employment), but with all of the baby boomers retiring and needing more funds for social security, there is nothing but positive outcomes from this reform.

The idea is very liberal because of the idea of equality among everyone, and the conservatives believe that the program already is too costly given our current national debt. The idea itself though could potentially reduce the deficit and help out our economy. Sure we will need to accommodate for more citizens and there will be an increase in demand, but with this government spending we could potentially create more jobs, and with more jobs there would be more income taxes for FICA (social security and medicare) to provide for the baby boomers retiring soon. The chart below emphasizes the need for more money for social security. Our nation is already running low on funds for social security which was why they increased the income tax for social security to 6.2%, and if we don’t find another source of money to provide for those who have retired, we will run out by the time we retire. It is very important for the income for social security income to increase, and by passing this immigration reform we could use the income from the new citizens to help provide for social security.

            Our government has been working so hard to control the border and keep illegal immigrants out. There are arguments that more crimes could be taken into our country, but if we were to make these immigrants citizens, they would be treated as such and the necessary measures would be taken to account for these crimes. Our nation has been trying to emphasize the diverseness within, and what better way than to better than economy while making the country more diverse.

Works Cited

" National Employment Monthly Update."NCSL Home. N.p., n.d. Web. 9 May 2013. <http://www.ncsl.org/issues-research/labor/national-employment-monthly-update.aspx>.

"Streamlining Legal Immigration | The White House." The White House. N.p., n.d. Web. 9 May 2013. <http://www.whitehouse.gov/issues/immigration/streamlining-immigration>.

Werner, Erica. "Study: Immigration bill would help Social Security - News - Boston.com." Boston.com - Boston, MA news, breaking news, sports, video. N.p., n.d. Web. 9 May 2013. <http://www.boston.com/news/politics/2013/05/08/study-immigration-bill-would-help-social-security/ylynxmSxGYMpzURAJqXgzH/story.html>.

"What Happens to Workers Who Drop Out of the Labor Force? | Sober Look | FINANCIAL SENSE ." FINANCIAL SENSE | Applying Common Sense to the Markets. N.p., n.d. Web. 9 May 2013. <http://www.financialsense.com/contributors/sober-look/what-happens-to-workers-who-drop-out-of-labor-force>.