8 Shocking Truths About Undocumented Workers

In spite of a decrease in numbers due to the economic downturn, there are currently an estimated 11.5 million undocumented immigrants in the United States. Debate over existing immigration policy as well as newer laws such as Arizona’s so-called “Show Me Your Papers” law, continues to intensify as we move into the election season. It is possible that common sense and growing bipartisanship will push through legislation that will help immigrants and ultimately our nation’s economy. With this in mind, here are eight facts about undocumented workers that may run counter to the anti-immigrant rhetoric that continues to cloud intelligent debate.

1. They can solve the country’s unemployment problem:

   

   In spite of bi-partisan lobbying since 2010 by über-business leaders, including New York mayor Michael Bloomberg, immigration laws continue to prevent immigrants and undocumented workers from working for or creating innovative businesses here in the U.S. Students from around the world come to cities like New York to study, only to return to their own country because getting a green card or a visa is too difficult. “If you want to solve the unemployment problem in America,” Bloomberg says, “you have to open the door to immigrants who will come here and create business.”

2. Most undocumented immigrants come to the U.S. to work:

   

   Most undocumented workers come to the U.S. to work, not to take advantage of free government services. According to data from the Urban Institute, the labor-force participation of undocumented workers exceeds that of legal immigrants or native-born workers. But because of their status, undocumented workers are not eligible for free government services, including welfare, food stamps, and Medicaid. Children born in the U.S. are considered citizens, and are entitled to such services, but children not born here are considered undocumented.

3. Undocumented workers do pay taxes:

   

   Undocumented workers do pay taxes, including sales tax on things they buy, property tax if they rent or own a home, and income tax if, using an Individual Tax Identification Number (ITIN) or a fake Social Security number, they are paid through a formal payroll system. If paid by paycheck, they end up contributing to Social Security and Medicare, neither of which they can claim due to their status. But many undocumented immigrants, hoping that immigration reforms are forthcoming, file their taxes using an ITIN.

4. Undocumented workers contribute to our Social Security system:

   

   The majority of undocumented workers are paid by a payroll check and as a result, contribute a portion of that check to Social Security. But because that they can’t claim the money they are contributing, undocumented workers are actually helping to keep Social Security, a system that is definitely strained and may not be there when they are old enough to collect it, solvent.

5. Undocumented workers are not taking low-wage jobs away from American workers:

   

   Although most undocumented workers hold unskilled jobs in industries like agriculture and food processing, there is very little evidence that undocumented workers are taking away employment opportunities for American-born workers. In fact, undocumented workers help to create new jobs by buying American goods, paying taxes (as stated previously), and increasing the demand for retailers. Immigration to the U.S. has decreased with the recent economic downturn, but undocumented workers continue to fill positions where there is a lack of native-born, low-skilled workers.

6. Immigrants do not drive down wages for American workers:

   

   The bottom half of the wage scale has not grown since the mid-1980s. And although wages for low-skilled workers have decreased, there is, according to the New York Times, “scant evidence that illegal immigrants have caused any significant damage to the wages of American workers.” Education, or the lack of it, continues to determine whether or not one is given the opportunity to earn a living wage.

7. Undocumented workers with college degrees struggle to find work:

   

   The bipartisan Development, Relief, and Education of Alien Minors Act (DREAM Act) would grant citizenship to undocumented immigrants who complete a college degree or serve two years in the armed services. Children who entered the U.S. illegally find that after college, because of their status, they are unable to obtain higher-skilled jobs that pay well. Despite it being a piece of no-brainer, bi-partisan legislation, the bill continues to stall in Congress.

8. Undocumented workers are not responsible for high crime rates:

   

   A large majority of Americans are convinced that illegal immigration creates higher crime rates. Politicians and television personalities continue to perpetuate this falsehood by stoking an irrational fear of criminals and terrorists sneaking across our borders. However, studies show that since 1990, as our country’s immigrant population has grown, violent and property crimes have actually decreased rather than increased. And tellingly, incarceration rates among men are the lowest for immigrants, including Mexicans, Salvadorans, and Guatemalans, who make up the majority of undocumented and legal immigrants.

Taken From Insurance Quotes