Why Is Illegal Immigration Encouraged?

Illegal immigration has been a contentious issue in the United States for many decades. It is a topic that is often mired in politics and has led to heated debates over the years. But why is illegal immigration encouraged, and what are the consequences of this encouragement?

In this article, we will answer these questions and explore the various factors that contribute to why illegal immigration is encouraged in the United States.

Overview of Illegal Immigration in the United States

Illegal immigration refers to people who enter the United States without authorization or who overstay their visas. According to the Pew Research Center, there were 10.5 million unauthorized immigrants in the United States in 2017, which represents 3.2% of the population. The majority of unauthorized immigrants (approximately 66%) have been living in the United States for more than 10 years.

It is worth noting that the rate of illegal immigration has been declining since the early 2000s. In 2007, there were an estimated 12.2 million unauthorized immigrants in the United States. This decline can be attributed to a number of factors, including increased border security and a decline in job opportunities in the United States during the Great Recession.

Why Is Illegal Immigration Encouraged?

1. Economic Reasons

One major reason why illegal immigration is encouraged is because it is seen as a boost to the economy. Many immigrants who come to the United States without authorization do so in search of economic opportunities. These individuals are often willing to work for lower wages than native-born workers, and are willing to work in industries that many Americans are not interested in, such as agriculture, construction, and hospitality.

In addition, the American consumer benefits from lower prices as a result of the lower wages paid to these workers. For example, if you buy produce at the grocery store, it is likely that it was picked by an undocumented worker who was paid a low wage. The lower cost of production is then passed on to the consumer in the form of lower prices.

2. Labor Shortages in Some Industries

Another reason why illegal immigration is encouraged is because there are labor shortages in some industries. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 7.6 million job openings in the United States in January 2021. Many of these job openings were in industries that have historically relied on immigrant labor, such as agriculture, construction, and hospitality.

In some cases, there simply are not enough native-born workers to fill these jobs. This has led employers to turn to undocumented workers to fill the gap. For example, in 2019, the National Pork Producers Council estimated that there were approximately 10,000 job openings in the pork industry, and that about 24% of the workers in the industry were undocumented.

3. Family Reunification

Another reason why illegal immigration is encouraged is because of the desire for family reunification. Many immigrants who come to the United States without authorization do so in order to be closer to family members who are already living in the United States. In some cases, these family members are already American citizens or legal permanent residents.

For example, if a mother who is a legal permanent resident sponsors her adult son for a green card, it can take several years for the green card to be approved. During that time, the son may choose to come to the United States without authorization in order to be closer to his mother.

4. Border Security Policies

Another factor that encourages illegal immigration is the United States’ border security policies. The border with Mexico is notoriously difficult to secure, and there are many passages that are easy to cross. This makes it relatively easy for immigrants to enter the country without authorization.

In addition, the United States’ policies regarding asylum seekers have created an incentive for individuals to enter the country without authorization. Under current U.S. law, individuals who arrive in the United States and claim asylum are allowed to remain in the country while their claims are being processed. This means that individuals who enter the country without authorization and claim asylum are often released into the United States while waiting for their cases to be resolved.

The Consequences of Encouraging Illegal Immigration

While there are many reasons why illegal immigration is encouraged, there are also many consequences that come with it. Some of the most significant consequences include:

1. Cost to Taxpayers

Illegal immigration has a significant cost to taxpayers. According to a study by the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR), the cost of illegal immigration to taxpayers in 2017 was approximately $116 billion. This includes the cost of education, healthcare, and law enforcement.

2. Lower Wages for Native-Born Workers

One consequence of illegal immigration is that it can lead to lower wages for native-born workers. As mentioned earlier, undocumented workers are often willing to work for lower wages than native-born workers, which can make it difficult for native-born workers to compete for jobs.

3. Strain on Public Services

Illegal immigration can also create a strain on public services. This is because undocumented immigrants are often unable to access public services like healthcare and education, which means that they are often forced to rely on charity or emergency services.

4. Increases in Crime

Finally, illegal immigration can lead to increases in crime. While the majority of undocumented immigrants are law-abiding individuals, there is some evidence to suggest that a small percentage of undocumented immigrants commit crimes.

Conclusion

Illegal immigration is a complex issue that has many different causes and consequences. While it is clear that illegal immigration can provide economic benefits and help to fill labor shortages in some industries, it also has significant costs to taxpayers and can create a strain on public services. As the United States continues to grapple with the issue of illegal immigration, it is important to take a comprehensive and nuanced approach that takes into account both the benefits and the costs.

Immigration to the United States can occur through the two possible forms as consist of either legal immigration, on the one hand, or illegal immigration, on the other. In this regard, people can either choose to contact the relevant agency of the United States government and secure permission to settle in the country, as can eventually allow for the later process of naturalization, or, alternately, illegal immigration can allow people to more quickly realize the benefits, as may be economic in nature or of some other kind, to be gained by relocation to the United States.

Illegal immigration has been responsible for energizing much of the debate over the legal ramifications of immigration in the United States during the late 20th century and early 21st century, in contrast to which legal immigration once represented a more pressing concern in American politics and law.

Illegal immigration has been tied to the large labor market in the United States, in which the most competitive wage decreases can be tied to the availability of employees from outside the legal infrastructure of the American labor system. Legal immigration, on the other hand, has been observed to confer greater benefits in terms of employment opportunities which possess a greater degree of visibility.

By contrast, illegal immigration has been tied to comparatively low-paying jobs. Despite the efforts which have been expended, such as through law enforcement measures and legislative changes, to encourage a shift to legal immigration in preference over the alternative, illegal immigration is generally encouraged by the widespread global interest in working in the United States.