imageThe overriding impact of immigrants is to strengthen and enrich American culture, increase the total output of the economy, and raise the standard of living of American citizens. Immigrants are advantageous to the United States for several reasons: (1) Since they are willing to take a chance in a new land, they are self-selected on the basis on motivation, risk taking, work ethic, and other attributes beneficial to a nation. (2) They tend to come to the United States during their prime working years (the average age is 28), and they contribute to the workforce and make huge net contributions to old-age entitlement programs, primarily Social Security. (3) Immigrants tend to fill niches in the labor market where demand is highest relative to supply, complementing rather than directly competing with American workers. (4) Many immigrants arrive with extremely high skill levels, and virtually all, regardless of skill level, bring a strong desire to work. (5) Their children tend to reach high levels of achievement in American schools and in society at large.

Cato Experts

More on Immigration

Commentary

Deporting Customers Hurts the Economy

By Alex Nowrasteh. Huffington Post. June 24, 2013.

Welfare Shouldn’t Ruin Immigration Reform

By Alex Nowrasteh. Roll Call. June 14, 2013.

Obama Policy Is Positive Step, But Could Delay Real Reform

By Alex Nowrasteh. US News and World Report Online. June 3, 2013.

Cato Studies

Poor Immigrants Use Public Benefits at a Lower Rate than Poor Native-Born Citizens

By Leighton Ku and Brian Bruen. Economic Development Bulletin No. 17. March 4, 2013.

The Use of Public Assistance Benefits by Citizens and Non-citizen Immigrants in the United States

By Leighton Ku and Brian Bruen. Working Paper. February 19, 2013.

How to Make Guest Worker Visas Work

By Alex Nowrasteh. Policy Analysis No. 719. January 31, 2013.

Articles

Comprehensive Immigration Reform: What Congress and the President Need to Do to Make It Work

Daniel Griswold. Albany Government Law Review. Vol. 3. No. 1. Winter 2009.

Higher Immigration, Lower Crime

Daniel Griswold. Commentary. December 2009.

Public Filings

Reviews & Journals

Events

Global Crossings: Immigration, Civilization, and America

Featuring Alex Nowrasteh and Ian Vásquez. June 21, 2013. Book Forum.

Immigration Wars: Forging an American Solution

Featuring Clint Bolick and Alex Nowrasteh. June 12, 2013. Book Forum.

Fixing Guest Worker Visas

Featuring Alex Nowrasteh. April 24, 2013. Capitol Hill Briefing.