The opportunity for economic gain is one of the most prominent motivators that drive people to emigrate from one country to another. Though the United States and parts of Europe have traditionally been the most popular destinations for those wishing to acquire a higher income and a better life, it appears as though the immigration trend is shifting towards the global south. As this AlJazeera article points out, Brazil's flourishing growth, along with a troubled Eurozone and a weakened US economy, has created an "immigration influx in the Amazon". Brazil has the largest economy in Latin America, and ranks 6th compared to the rest of the world. Characterized by large and well-developed agricultural, mining, manufacturing, and service sectors, Brazil's labor demand has rapidly increased and therefore attracted immigrants from as far as Bangladesh and Europe. In addition to a growing economy, Brazil boasts a low unemployment rate (4.6% as of December 2012), encourages FDI by maintaining high interest rates, and has made huge efforts to increase literacy rates by installing a much admired and emulated anti-poverty program, the Bolsa Familia. It's uncertain whether Brazil's immigration influx is a temporary trend fueled by an increased demand for labor or a catalyst for what will ultimately be a reversal of migration flows. I am more convinced of the latter, for there are increasing job opportunities and industry growth in multiple countries across the region(Mexico, Argentina, Chile...)
As immigration is one of the most prominent issues facing our nation today, it is useful to examine it from a purely economic perspective. Many share the sentiment that illegal immigrants take jobs away from Americans while simultaneously benefitting from social programs and transferring the burden onto taxpayers. Yet Adam Davidson of the New York Times reports that the only people who are negatively affected by illegal immigrants are the American adults who do not have a high school diploma, or those who are "unskilled". In this context, undocumented immigrants vie for the same jobs as the unskilled domestic workers and often end up receiving them, for they are willing to accept a lower wage. If one considers the immigration of highly skilled and educated people, however, then it is quite clear that their presence benefits everyone. Just as a country imports goods, it imports human capital as well. The more educated and skilled workers a country has, the more likely it is to innovate and grow. Immigrants add tremendous potential to this innovation-in fact "there has been a clear connection between immigration in the US and entrepreneurship, with immigrations creating companies (and jobs) at a disproportionate rate" (Surowiecki 2012). From an economic standpoint, immigration is positively beneficial for the whole economy. Thus, it would be wise for the US to implement policies conducive to attracting immigrants and reversing an immigration trend that is (literally) going south.
As immigration is one of the most prominent issues facing our nation today, it is useful to examine it from a purely economic perspective. Many share the sentiment that illegal immigrants take jobs away from Americans while simultaneously benefitting from social programs and transferring the burden onto taxpayers. Yet Adam Davidson of the New York Times reports that the only people who are negatively affected by illegal immigrants are the American adults who do not have a high school diploma, or those who are "unskilled". In this context, undocumented immigrants vie for the same jobs as the unskilled domestic workers and often end up receiving them, for they are willing to accept a lower wage. If one considers the immigration of highly skilled and educated people, however, then it is quite clear that their presence benefits everyone. Just as a country imports goods, it imports human capital as well. The more educated and skilled workers a country has, the more likely it is to innovate and grow. Immigrants add tremendous potential to this innovation-in fact "there has been a clear connection between immigration in the US and entrepreneurship, with immigrations creating companies (and jobs) at a disproportionate rate" (Surowiecki 2012). From an economic standpoint, immigration is positively beneficial for the whole economy. Thus, it would be wise for the US to implement policies conducive to attracting immigrants and reversing an immigration trend that is (literally) going south.
The article seems to highlight the increasingly apparent effects of globalization in the world. Many people, most in the more developed countries that are receiving the influx of immigrants, are apprehensive of these changes. I think that it is simply a sign of the changing times, particularly with respect to the “reversing global migration flows” – Brazil has been on the rise in prior decades, so it seems nothing but expected that people are coming to a country that can recognizably offer more. This may be the first visible symptom of the changing economic roles of the global north and global south that the world may see in the coming century -- something that I think is good because of the perpetual distinction that has been evident since the beginning of modern civilization.
ReplyDeleteIt would be interesting to know if the influx of immigrants has increased the likelihood of Americans to pursue or complete their education in order to be more competitive in the job market. And although it is true that there are benefits to acquiring immigrants who will work for lesser wages, what are the costs? I think a cost-benefit analysis would be interesting to see for this problem, because it is so difficult to reconcile. On the one hand, illegal immigrants may be helping businesses be more profitable, and Americans to pursue higher education. On the other, what do illegal immigrants do with the money they make here? For many, I am to believe, the money is sent "home," and spent in the economies of the home country. And how much money do taxpayers pay to support illegals who don't pay taxes? I don't know what the answer is, just playing devil's advocate ;)
ReplyDeleteThe first distinction that needs to be made when discussion immigration to the United States, is legal and illegal immigration. Although it is true that many illegal immigrants perform unskilled work that is often unattractive to most of the American public, this same work can be done by LEGAL immigrants. The argument then, should not focus on the benefits of illegal immigration, but rather understanding benefits to immigration in general.
ReplyDeleteIn regards to Brazil, it is very true that Brazil's economy is on the rise. However, the country has an extreme problem with massive inequality. The favelas serve as a visual example of this: makeshift shacks stacked on top of one another, swarming with crime. Inequality, and corruption of government officials and police are major issues that Brazil must address in it's rise as a major player in the economic sphere.
I agree with Bridget on the case of Brazil. Despite Lula's (the previous Brazilian President) efforts to increase spending on education and healthcare, inequality and corruption still remains a pressing problem. The inequality levels have definitely decreased as many families moved into the middle class, and some economists argue that Brazil "...is on a much stronger path to long-term growth than its recent malaise would suggest, perhaps strong enough even to justify the flood of capital that entered the country beginning in the late 1990s." (Daniel Altman) I believe that the former statement may be true, however to achieve long-term growth Brazil will have to address inequality and corruption more aggressively than it has in the past. And even though the quality public education may have increased, it still faces many problems. Public education still cannot compete with private education, and the those in the latter group are more frequently accepted into public universities. If the government does not address this prominent issue of inequality in education, even this long-term path to growth may be at risk.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2012/12/17/a_real_war_on_inequality