Rather than examine the impact of immigration in an economic light, I will examine it from a socio-cultural perspective with a historical focus. The relationship between the United States and immigration to the United States can at times be complicated. Almost all Americans today can trace their heritage back to at least one immigrant group. Even many people of Native American descent can find evidence of immigrant ancestors from Europe, Africa, Asia, or especially more recently, Central and South America. Many Americans also hold their ancestral heritage as a sense of pride, and in some cases still maintain traditions brought from abroad.
Although many Americans have strong pride in their ancestry, and many Americans would likely agree that immigration is one of the factors that has made America great, there is still a significant part of the population opposed to immigration. This is an interesting phenomenon that has existed since the earliest days of the United States, and even before the country was independent. In 1751, for example, Benjamin Franklin complained of the arrival of German immigrants who settled in Pennsylvania. Anti-immigrant sentiment continued in the mid-19th Century with the formation of the Know-Nothing Party. The Know-Nothing Party stood on a platform that opposed immigration, particularly immigration by Roman Catholics and those whose native language was not English. Many of these immigrants came from places like Germany and Ireland. In 1882, the United States government aimed to limit immigration from China through the Chinese Exclusion Act. Chinese immigrants were particularly discriminated against and mistreated in the western United States in the late 1800s.
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries there was opposition to the major immigrant groups of the time. These immigrants came from places like Ireland, Italy, and Eastern Europe in search of jobs. It was common to see help-wanted signs warning that "no Irish need apply". Anti-immigrant sentiment of the time declared these new immigrants to be inferior to Americans who had lived in the United States for generations.
Today opposition to immigration is once again a divisive issue. President Trump's statements on immigration have caused great outrage, but also help to explain how he was elected. Today the major source of immigration to the United States comes from Central and South America, with immigrants coming for many of the same reasons they came in the past. Immigrants are leaving countries like Mexico, El Salvador, and Guatemala to escape poor conditions, violence, and a lack of economic opportunities. In the United States they, like earlier generations of immigrants, see a new and better life. They see the opportunity to earn more money, live without constant fear of violence or intimidation, and provide a brighter future for their children. The reaction to these immigrants has led to a divide in American culture, with many Americans supportive of these new immigrants but many also opposed. If we look at our history we will realize that this divide is nothing new. History also tells us that the opposition to these new groups of immigrants should eventually pass as is it did in past generations.
Why do we see this trend of opposition to new immigrants throughout our history? The explanation for this comes from fear. People often fear things that are different from what they know. They fear that these new immigrants may change the culture they are so familiar with and that they might be left behind. They are afraid that new immigrants will take their jobs and hurt them economically. They are afraid that new immigrants will bring the troubles of their home countries with them. It is normal for people to fear uncertainty, and this is why we see this response from a significant portion of the U.S. population.
Immigration has had an enormous impact on the United States in a number of ways. We can see that immigration causes fear and division within the population, and sometimes leads to harsh backlash against it. We also know that immigration has brought a tremendous diversity to American society. It has brought diverse cultures, food, religions, innovations, and ways of thinking. This diversity is something that has helped the country to thrive and develop into the global power it is today. Immigration has ultimately made the United States into a truly unique nation, but it has not occurred without some struggle, opposition, and division along the way.
http://www.iwm.at/transit-online/the-impact-of-immigration-on-american-society/
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Know-Nothing-party
Economists differ in their opinions on the impact that immigration has on the United States economy. On the one hand, some economists believe that immigration has a net-positive impact. Economists theorize that the influx of low-skilled workers fills jobs that many Americans won’t do such as seasonal positions in the farming industry, low-wage jobs in the service sector, and others. Another economic benefit of immigration is that low-wage workers help to keep prices low on many products and services. The low cost of labor saves companies money that they would otherwise have to spend to purchase expensive equipment or hire others at higher wages. The savings are passed on to the consumer in the form of lower prices.On the other hand, some economists argue that immigration has a negative impact on the United States economy. They point to the large numbers of immigrants who sign up for social welfare benefits. This represents a significant cost to American taxpayers.Another point economists make in favor of immigration having a negative impact on the economy involves the fact that many immigrants send a large portion of the money they earn in the US to their families in their home countries. While some of the money immigrants earn is spent in the US, there is a large outflow of capital to other countries.FURTHER READING:https://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2016-09-23/study-examines-immigrations-economic-costshttps://www.hoover.org/research/economic-effect-immigration
Economists assert that the impacts of immigration are largely positive.
They have argued against the theory that immigrants take jobs away from citizens. Economists suggest that although there is competition in the labor market, the money made by the immigrants is still spent within the economy, thus increasing demand for goods and services. The demand in the economy translates to more jobs.
The additional labor and increased demand for products and services have been shown to force companies to increase investments in both labor and productivity. The situation also helps improve wages in the long term. Thus, both citizens and immigrants get to enjoy better-paying jobs.
Immigrants are also credited with increased innovation and talent in the economy. The situation helps in introducing new products and processes for improving existing businesses. Additionally, citizens are also pushed to higher-paying jobs to match the pace of innovation in the economy.
Immigrants also have the effect of keeping the population young and fit for productivity, especially in a situation where the native population is aging.
https://budgetmodel.wharton.upenn.edu/issues/2016/1/27/the-effects-of-immigration-on-the-united-states-economy
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/5-things-know-about-immigration-u-s-economy-n179196
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