Deconstructing Misconceptions: Economic Costs and Benefits of Low-Skill Latino Immigration in the U.S.

Abstract

It seems that the current heated debate surrounding immigration is a fire-y spectacle of blame. In a desperate quest to find the source of the American economy's relentless recession, many American politicians and citizens alike point fingers at Latino immigrants for the high unemployment rate, the large and growing federal deficit, and slow GDP growth. But does Latino immigration have such a sour impact on the economy to be deserving of all this negative attention? Many Americans who support harsh immigration reform are seeking to alienate and drive out Latino immigrants, deprive them of jobs, their child~en of education, their families of housing, medical attention and even water. But how exactly are Latino immigrants harming our economy, if at all? What bad have they done and what real impact do they really have on our macro and micro economy? How would our economy be affected without them? Perhaps these are the puzzling and provocative questions that should be properly researched and addressed as America moves towards immigration reform.