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The Immigration Debate. 4/24/2007. Profile of Immigrants. 1 million legal and 500,000 undocumented enter the country annually Total foreign born population: 37 million 12.4% of US population 61% (21.7 Million) Legal Permanent Residents 29% (10.3) Million Undocumented
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The Immigration Debate 4/24/2007
Profile of Immigrants • 1 million legal and 500,000 undocumented enter the country annually • Total foreign born population: 37 million • 12.4% of US population • 61% (21.7 Million) Legal Permanent Residents • 29% (10.3) Million Undocumented • 3% Temporary and 7% Refugees • Where are they from [Legal] (Illegal) • Latin America [53.3%] • Mexico (57%) • Other Latin American Countries (24%) • Asia [25%] (10.4%) • Europe and Canada [13.7] (6%) • Africa and Other [8%] (4%)
Profile Continued • In the workplace • Service Industry • Foreign Born (23.3%) Native (14.9%) • Unemployment (March 2003) • Foreign Born (7.5%) Native (6.2%) • Labor Force Participation • Illegal Men (94%) Highest of any group • Age • 18-64 Foreign Born (80%) Native (60%) • 25-44 Foreign Born (45.1%) Native (27%) • High School Graduates • Foreign Born (67.2%) Native (87.5%)
Profile Continued • Living Situation • Central City: Foreign Born (44.4%) Native (26.9%) • Metropolitan Area: Foreign Born (50.3%) Native (52.9%) • Wages • <$20,000 Foreign Born (30.5%) Native (16.5%) • >$50,000 Foreign Born (21.8%) Native (30.2%)
Immigration Law • Legal Entry • Family Connection (480,000/year) • Employment Opportunity (140,000/year) • Refugees (110,000/year) • Diversity Requirement (55,000/year)
Policy • Bush Policy (Temporary Workers) • Control the borders • Provide laborers where needed • If there is no willing American • More rights for those working here • Allow travel across border with documentation • Incentives to return home after work is complete
Fiscal Costs and Benefits • Government Benefits • Must show documentation to receive medicaid • $7 billion in Social Security Payments • $79.6 Million unpaid care in California due to undocumented immigrants • 25% of all unpaid care in southernmost California and Texas • <1% Came to the US looking for government services
Policy • Bush Policy (Temporary Workers) • Control the borders • Provide laborers where needed • If there is no willing American • Limit the number of visas • More rights for those working here • Allow travel across border with documentation • Incentives to return home after work is complete
Policy Continued • Alternative Views • McCain/Kennedy • Those with a clean record should be given opportunity to receive Permanent Legal Status • Kyl/Cornyn • Immigrants should leave before receiving legal status • Opponents of Temporary Worker Programs • Similar to granting amnesty to illegal immigrants • Allowing immigrants to stay will further drive down wages • The proposal doesn’t do enough to help Americans find the jobs they need