Just like any other concept, immigration also has its set of myths and misconceptions. The most common of these myths is that immigrants arriving in a nation tend to increase competition in the local job market. This leads to a shortage of jobs for local residents.
On the contrary, many research studies have shown that there has been increased productivity in the economy with the influx of immigrants. This has led to an increase in the salary of local workers as well.
This is because with increased productivity, more jobs are created and therefore constant increases in the wages of locals. According to the report submitted to the White House Council of Economic Advisers (CEA) in 2007 to the Executive Office of the President, immigration has been highly advantageous to Native Americans as immigrants have complemented locals and not acted as a workplace replacement. . Immigrants tend to fill skills shortages in a nation that caters to both high-skill and low-skill occupations. This is important for the constant growth and development of the economy and society in turn.
A similar report submitted by the National Foundation for American Policy (NFAP) in 2008 projected that for every H1-B visa; Five more employees were added to one of the largest companies in the United States. The report also indicated that among the sampled companies experiencing layoffs were two additional workers in case of an H1-B application. This would not have been otherwise.
A Technology Policy Institute report indicated that highly-skilled immigrants working in the United States on H1-B visas add to the nation’s federal budget. More immigration means more to pay taxes. At the same time, these migrants do not receive any type of benefit from the federal government.
These were some of the many reports that came out after conducting a detailed study on this particular topic. With the current debate fueling immigration with the formation of laws, it is time for state governments to reconsider their decisions and for the federal government to consider all aspects before concluding the problem.