Issue 4:
Immigration
What is the social and economic impact of immigrants in America?
The web browser that you are using isn't compatible with this content.
Try using the latest version of Internet Explorer, Chrome, or Firefox.
What is the social and economic impact of immigrants in America?
Only 3.7% of the total U.S. population are undocumented immigrants. These states have the highest share of them by:
These jobs have the highest number of undocumented immigrants:
Building, Groundskeeping & Maintenance
Food Preparation and Serving
Farming Construction Production
There are approximately 8 million undocumented immigrant workers—about 5.2% of total civilian workforce.
Many non-citizens come to America with an H1-B work visa, which allows U.S. companies to hire skilled foreigners.
In 2011, more than 50% of H1-B visas were for computer-related occupations.
In 2010, undocumented immigrants paid an estimated $11.2 billion in taxes. Here’s how it breaks down:
Students enrolled in K–12 public school:
w/ U.S.-Born Parents
w/ Documented Immigrant Parents
w/ Undocumented Immigrant Parents
The five states with the highest number of students with undocumented parents are: Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada
and Texas.
A recent history of immigration reform…
The 9/11 Commission made document security changes with the aim to “protect against terrorist entry,” including: tightening restrictions on asylum applications, expanding definition of terrorist organizations and activity, removing restrictions on building border fences.
Sought to address illegal immigration by strengthening enforcement of immigration laws and enacting border security measures, including: making immigration enforcement a state and local responsibility, proposing an electronic verification system for employers, promoting more technologically advanced border security.
Introduced new mechanisms for border, interior and workplace enforcement. Also included: offering more state and local funding for incarcerating undocumented immigrants, creating a new temporary guest worker program, establishing new standards for earned legalization and mandatory departure.
In 2012, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down several provisions as unconstitutional, but upheld the requirement that police check immigration status during law enforcement stops. The most controversial provisions included: calling for officers to check a person’s immigration status while enforcing other laws, requiring immigrants to carry their papers at all times, allowing police warrantless arrest of individuals suspected of being undocumented.
Permits undocumented high school graduates to stay for college or military service and offer the opportunity for permanent residency if they: have good moral character, came as minors, lived in the US for 5 continuous years.
Undocumented young immigrants (under 30) who meet these criteria are eligible for deferred action for 2 years, allowing to to remain in the U.S. and apply for work authorization on a case-by-case basis: came to the U.S. before they were 16, has resided in the U.S. for at least 5 years, is currently in school or is a high school graduate, is a GED recipient or military veteran with a clean record.