Benefits of Illegal Immigration Offset Costs on the U.S. Economy

Although illegal immigration is essential to the dynamics of the U.S. economy and for sustaining its pace in the creation of jobs, many American citizens believe that illegal immigrants can become a black hole on social services and public charges upon the major areas in the United States that receives these vastnesses of immigrants. Because there is a shortage of unskilled labor in many segments of the U.S. economy, numerous low-skilled positions are being filled by illegal immigrant workers. Without these workers, the productivity and economic growth of the economy would be slower and there would be fewer jobs for skilled labor. Also, by filling these unskilled labor openings, illegal immigration contributes to keeping the U.S. economy prosperous and affluent. The U.S. economy indeed benefits from illegal immigrants in who supply foreign workforce that complements rather than competes with the local workforce in the United States.

At issue is whether illegal immigrants in the country fuel the economy and the labor market or whether they cost American tax-payers their money. Since the local government is the first to provide public services such as health care and education to the community, many local government officials have expressed their concerns that illegal immigrants are a burden on their budgets and do not contribute tax revenues in what they cost in public services and those includes incarceration and medical care. One legislative director even went as far as saying, "it costs us millions per year" (Preston). While these public services are important to the American public, it is also very important to illegal immigrants as they establish a permanent living space in the U.S. where they can call home.