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Chirag Patel
Professor Rytov
ENC 2135
9 November 2016
Is America benefiting from immigration?
Growing up as a minority in the twenty-first century, racism and discrimination were very
touchy subjects. Whether it was terrorist or taxi driver or curry muncher or go back to
your country, Ive heard it all. Having a foreign background, gives an automatic assumption of
being an immigrant. With the election coming up very soon, immigration is a very controversial
topic. For my research paper, I decided to pick a topic that I can relate to really well and that is a
concern in society. On one hand, Immigration can be argued to benefit America. Many of the
immigrants have helped modernize America, increase and benefit the economy, and advanced
technology, all helping America form into the country it is today. Some of the most intelligent
and determined individuals, who are unsatisfied with their own countries, bring their skills to
America. Without immigrants, thousands of job opportunities wouldnt be generated.
Immigration has always been a huge factor in the economic and demographic growth of
America. However, on the other hand, this topic can be argued on the grounds that immigration
is unsafe. Recent incidents have occurred that bring attention about TSA and Border Patrol. More
immigrants mean more opportunity for terrorists, drug dealers, and other criminals to enter the
country. So therefore, as Americans the pride in the country is no prevalent. As more immigrants
enter the country, the chances of getting illegal immigrants are higher. This will also weaken the
national security. Understanding my parents are immigrants, I support immigration and believe

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that it is positively benefiting America because, it has helped modernize America, increase and
benefit the economy, and advanced technology.
Immigration can be a very biased and debatable topic, considering the background of the
individual, whether the individual is an immigrant, or if the individual understands and perceives
the same view as an immigrant. One of the most important factors of the benefits of immigration
is economics. As we all know, the economy runs our nation, if the economy goes down so do we,
if the economy is booming so are we. So depending on economics, many people look at
immigrants differently. If the economy is doing really well and many jobs are produced, many
will not have a negative attitude towards immigrants. However, if the economy goes down a little
and jobs are being lost, many will look towards immigrants to blame. According to Peri, there
are two different groups that have a higher chance of migrating internationally. The first group
consists of the college-educated individuals. They have emigration rates four to five times higher
than workers with no college education, and in poor countries, they are 10 to 12 times more
likely to migrate. The second group is made up of the young: individuals between 20 and 40
years of age have the highest propensity to migrate (Peri). With all these individuals migrating
into the nation with their competitive backgrounds and education, it leaves companies no option
but to create more jobs due to the supply of more workers. In terms of the immigrants
themselves, they are not all the same. There are immigrants with many different levels of
education, ranging from; high school dropout to receiving a Ph. D in science or Engineering. Peri
argues that, Because the proportion of the lowest and highest schooling immigrants is the same,
the wages are not altered significantly. However, I disagree with this, I believe that the number of
successful immigrants with tertiary level education outweighs the secondary level of education,
causing an increase in wages. The economy is highly affected by the higher educated

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immigrants, which brings in more scientists and engineers from all different countries. The
migrants that come to America and become, doctors, scientists, and engineers, are the most
important aspects of creating a successful US economy. Companies, firms, hospitals, factories,
all desire more of these skilled individuals, which make the companies operate and respectively
produce more jobs.
One-quarter of the U.S.-based Nobel laureates of the last 50 years were foreign-born, and
highly educated immigrants account for about one-third of U.S. innovation. In 2006,
immigrants founded 25 percent of new high-tech companies with more than $1 million in
sales, generating income and employment for the whole country. Innovation and
technological growth are the engines of economic growth in technologically advanced
countries like the United States, where attracting and training new scientists and
engineers is key to continued economic success (Peri).
This quote given by Giovanni Peri, gives a great statistical explanation of exactly how important
immigrants are to innovation and how they contribute to the economic growth of the country.
Another reason why immigration is benefiting America is, when immigrants are entering the
nation with this high level of education, the nation is receiving very worthy skills without having
to pay to train the individuals. Therefore, companies and firms are hiring the candidates that have
the skills prior to getting the job, which leads to profit for the company. This process also results
in the economic growth of the nation. Many non-immigrant American citizens, believe that
migrants are taking the jobs from them. However, if the native-born are not willing to receive as
high of an education or perform as rigorous of labor, then there shall be no argument over the
immigrants obtaining jobs. While these educated and skilled immigrants come to America for job
opportunities, they are developing new technologies and creating new firms, which generate

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more jobs than the immigrants are occupying. Those foreign students that come to America with
a completed education, they receive a higher education to earn a Ph.D. Between 70% and 96%
of these students stay on to work in the US for at least 5 years after their graduation (Gold). The
majority of the citizens against immigration believe that immigrants come to America to take
jobs, make money and then leave. However, according to Gold, the immigrants and their
children contribute to the long term population growth (Gold). I completely agree with this
statement, because both of my parents were immigrants and have successfully raised four
children in America that have received a high school diploma and at least a Bachelors Degree.
My three siblings all have long term jobs in America as well as my parents, with no intent to
depart the nation. However, other countries with low populations rates, have low immigration
rates, suffer from demographic crisis, and labor shortages. These cause long term conflicts within
the nation.
In continuation to the benefits of immigrants in America, immigrants have helped
advance technology, which creates a stronger economy and benefits America. Growing up as a
child in America with a minority ethnic background, I always heard oh did your dad create
metro pcs. I never really understood what it meant, until the day came that I realized when you
research the creators and the main individuals with technology and companies, they tend to be
foreign. Some of the most used technology by Americans is created from those that are not
American. For instance, we are all familiar with, Google, Yahoo, eBay, Facebook, and Apple,
which are all founded by first or second generation people from outside the United States. In the
twenty first century, the lives of teenage kids have come to revolve around technology. This day
in age, every 16-year-old has an Apple iPhone, or an iPad, or a sort of tablet. Another advanced
technology by foreigners, is the motor vehicle industry. Lexus, Nissan, Honda, Mercedes Benz

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etc., are all foreign vehicle companies. Most of the population in America whether an immigrant
or a native, use these to commute from one place to another. For many American citizens to
function on a daily basis, they need a car, a phone, a laptop, and some clothing. Every aspect of
the daily life has been founded by foreigners. China produces almost fifty percent of the clothing
in America. Regardless of a natives view on immigration, the life of one today would be
completely different. Many only look at the bad of immigration and dont realize the number of
factories, companies, utilities, technologies that are all founded and operated by immigrants and
foreigners. By the production of these factories and companies and technologies, these
immigrants are creating millions of jobs.
Aside from technology, one main reason for the positive effect of immigrants is related to
labor. Many can argue that the immigrants that have a high education are creating more jobs and
adding advanced technology, but what about the immigrants with a lower education, or maybe
even no education? Not saying Americans are not hard workers, but when it comes to manual
labor, majority of the workers are immigrants. These individuals with little to no education come
to America in the search of manual jobs. For instance, gardening, construction workers, or many
even work in the farming industry. From first-hand experience, my parents are both immigrants,
and both came to America as high school dropouts. My fathers first job for five years was a dish
washer at a local Chinese restaurant in Oakland. My mother, worked at a motel in San Francisco
as a maid and helped with laundry. From doing hard labor for ten to fifteen years, my parents
were able to buy a motel in Florida, which has created more jobs for people. So without having
to really pay immigrants much, they can help advance the technology, build the work force for
manual labor, and create more jobs while doing so. From going to school in America my entire
life, just from personal experience, I have always noticed that its the foreign kids or the children

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of immigrants that have jobs during school and study incredibly hard. Immigrants also are very
likely and more willing than natives to move from place to place to keep working and find more
opportunities. Natives also try to argue that, the manual labor jobs taken by immigrants, fluctuate
the wages. However, economic studies have shown positive effects on immigration and wages. If
immigrants are willing to work harder for the same wage as natives, even less, then of course the
employers will employ the immigrants over the natives. So instead of the argument being blamed
on the immigrants, it should be up to the natives to offer the same work ethic and effort for
manual labor, if they dont want a decrease in wages. With the support from above, natives
should understand immigrants as an asset to the US economy not an economic threat (Gold).
Though many can agree that immigration benefits America positively, the argument that
it does not, can also be made. Illegal immigration can also come with national security threats,
drugs, criminals and terrorism. With the recent acts in America, it is known that everyone should
be a bit mindful about what is going on with terrorists and the drug abuse. With undocumented
immigration, it is very hard to know who is doing right and who is doing wrong. Everyone wants
to live in a safe country with pride and be able to do what they want without ever being scared.
However, due to the lack of full security and undocumented immigration, that may not always be
allowed.
Illegal immigration derives many consequences, the nation as a whole has to face. This
can effect wages and supply of labor. Many natives argue that immigration lowers the wages and
effects the ability to survive in America. The movement of undocumented people across the
southern border of the United States creates an environment which destroys the free market of
United States labor by increasing the supply of labor and decreasing the price of labor (Reville).
I can agree with Reville, they are correct. If immigrants are coming into American illegally

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through the southern border, they can then start a family, start working and educate their
children. Surrounding families of where they settle are paying taxes which help pay for the
children to go to school. These immigrants are taking jobs for a much cheaper price than the
natives would, resulting in the decrease of wages. Which will also negatively affect the overall
economic growth. However, if the security is stronger, there can be reprimands to those entering
illegally. Because the system has allowed so many undocumented immigrants to make it to
America, start a family, and live the life theyve wanted. It is necessary that the government
makes a change as to how these situations are handled, to ensure the percentage of illegal
immigration can decrease.
The most important and controversial topic along with immigration is, terrorism. America
has faced terrorist attacks before and there is no guarantee that it couldnt happen again. With the
acceptance of undocumented immigrants into America, the nation is giving the immigrants, in
plan to attack America, everything they want. As a nation, populating billions of people, the
security has to do a much better job to not position this many people at risk. This can, however,
be very misunderstood. Which it is by many natives of the nation. The majority of the terrorist
attacks have been from Islamic beliefs, whereas the undocumented immigrants entering the
United States are majority from Mexico, Asia, and South America, who dont have the Islamic
beliefs.
I believe if the immigration process was shorter, then the number of illegal immigrants
would decrease. For example, for my uncle to come to America, my dad had to petition for him
to come. This process took close to 6 years. In this time, immigrants wanting to come to
America, result to migration illegally. So to make a change, it should start with the process of

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allowing immigrants legally. Due to the lack of efficiency and speed, the innocent immigrants
end up migrating illegally.
In conclusion, many people have their own views on immigration and illegal
immigration. I agree with the counter argument that, illegal immigration is unsafe and can
negatively affect the nation. However, the reasons and number of cases supporting immigration
outweigh the illegal immigration. Immigrants are migrating to help advance technology,
modernize our nation, and benefit the economy.

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Is America Benefiting America?
De, Ming Fan. "The Immigration-Terrorism Illusory Correlation and Heuristic Mistake."
Harvard Latino Law Review 10 (2007): 33-52. Print.
The article focuses on the impact of imagined correlation between immigration
and terrorism in the U.S. Immigration control is found to result fighting for terrorism
and danger, instead for a complex balancing of humanity, human need, privilege,
property, and conscience. This article is perfect for my counter argument, which states
that immigration can actually negatively affect America. This is one major point I can
use to support that.
Esses, Victoria M., Paula M. Brochu, and Karen R. Dickson. "Economic Costs, Economic
Benefits, and Attitudes Toward Immigrants and Immigration." Analyses of Social Issues
& Public Policy 12.1 (2012): 133-7. Print.
Perceptions of economic costs and benefits play an important role in determining
attitudes toward immigrants and immigration. This article indicates that when immigrants
are seen as competing with members of the host society for economic resources, negative
attitudes toward immigrants and immigration result. This is very important information
because it can effect discrimination and also support my counter argument.
Franzblau, Kenneth J. Immigration's Impact on U.S. National Security and Foreign Policy.
Washington, DC: U.S. Commission on Immigration Reform, 1997.
Https://lbj.utexas.edu/uscir/respapers/ii-oct97.pdf. Oct. 1997. Web.
This paper examines the relationship between U.S. immigration, foreign policy, and
national security. The paper also outlines the ways in which immigration has been
affected by the national security interests and foreign policies of the United States as well

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as the way in which immigration has affected national security concerns and resulting
foreign policy. Another key point for the counter argument is national security, and this
paper has information that is based off the national security effected by immigration.
Gold, Steven. "Immigration Benefits America." Society 46.5 (2009): 408-11. Print.
David Stoll suggests that because current immigrants are non-European,
uneducated, poor, and uninterested in joining the moral community of American society,
their existence threatens national unity, obscures citizens responsibilities to one another
and will shortly change the US into a minoritymajority society. this article states that
immigrants provide American society with social, economic and demographic benefits. I
will use this article to help support my overall argument and for my background research.
Hudak, John. "Immigration May Change American Politics As We Know It." Brookings. N.p., 29
Nov. -0001. Web. 15 Oct. 2016.
In this paper, Marisa Abrajano describes how immigration may have a jarring and
long-term effect on American politics. Latino population growth, Democratic Party
responsiveness to specific policies, and medias issue framing such as Latino threat
could continue to drive white voters toward the Republican Party. This article is geared
more to my audience. I chose college students because many are eligible to vote now, and
this political view can help explain that.
Liebig, Thomas. "Views on Immigration." Harvard International Review 32.4 (2011): 80-. Print.
The article discusses the impact of public opinion on the issue of global migration
and how it can support economic growth. The rise of anti-immigrant parties is an
evidence that public opinion in many countries does not seem to accept the existence and

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beneficial effects of labor migration. I personally like this article because it helps with my
argument and how it can benefit by economic growth.
Nabin, MH, and PM Sgro. "Illegal Immigration, Technology Adoption and Welfare." AsiaPacific Journal Of Accounting & Economics 20.2 (2013): 183-98. Web.
This paper analyses an individual firms behavior regarding new technology
acceptance in the presence of illegal immigrants. An argument in the illegal immigration
and technology adoption suggests that hiring illegal immigrants may be hindering the
adoption of new technology, which in turn harms a countrys growth. This article will
help with the background information for my counter argument.
Peri, Giovanni. "Immigration: The Economic Benefits of Immigration." Center for Latin
American Studies (CLAS). N.p., 24 Sept. 2015. Web. 15 Oct. 2016.
This article solely focuses on the economic benefits of immigration, which is the
supporting information for my argument. Immigration has always been a formidable
engine of economic and demographic growth for the United States. During the last
decades of the 19th century, immigrants contributed substantially, providing labor for the
industrialization and electrification of the country.
Reville, Patrick J., and John E. Cullen. "Impact of Undocumented Immigration on US Wages."
Journal of Diversity Management (Online) 9.1 (2014): 1-6. Web.
As my counter argument, I used this source to disagree with my argument. This
article talks about the movement of undocumented people across the southern border of
the United States and how it creates an environment which destroys the free market of
United States labor by increasing the supply of labor and decreasing the price of labor.

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Waters, Mary C. "Crime and Immigration New Forms of Exclusion and Discrimination." Issues
in Science & Technology 33.1 (2016): 29-38. Print.
Discrimination and racism are very popular among immigrants. This article
explains that before 1965, the United States was successful in integrating waves of
immigration from all over the world. But since then, the thinking goes, the legacies of
racial discrimination remain, and non-white immigrants are believed to have a harder
time integrating. This information can help me with my background information to create
the base of my research paper.