Question

Immigration policy in the United States has changed many times. During certain periods, the United States has instituted policies that place heavy restrictions on immigration; at other times, immigration policy has been more welcoming. As politicians and other policy makers in the United States evaluate immigration policy, debates continue about the appropriate response to the line of people eager to immigrate. In the table below, list a few ideas about the possible benefits of fewer restrictions to immigration. Then, list the possible challenges that might arise with allowing more immigration. You may wish to do some research if ideas on both sides don’t immediately come to mind.

Answer 1

Challenges of allowing more immigration:

• Immigrants may reduce job opportunities for Native American workers since immigrants require lower salaries than U.S. workers, therefore, the businessmen would rather spend less to maximize benefits.

• Immigrants may increase the cost charged to taxpayers so as to earn extra money to provide for housing and social assistance within the country.

Benefits of fewer restrictions to immigration:

• Immigrants, who can be entrepeneurs, can lead to economic growth by profiting with their start-ups, since nowadays immigrant-founded companies employ millions of Americans.

• The arrival of new people to the country, would bring young workers who would help to balance the retirement of the elder and, in turn, increase economic productivity.