Did you know immigrants in the United States are more likely to start a business than non-immigrants? Throughout the United States, immigration has always been a controversial topic. What many people are unaware of is, the United States need immigrants to sustain a successful economy. Immigrants are important contributors to the United States economy. They pay taxes, take unwanted jobs, and create businesses.
Often, the depiction of what immigrants do for the United States is misinterpreted. It can be assumed they only come to steal jobs and not pay taxes. However, immigrants play a large role as taxpayers. According to the Federation for American Immigration Reform (qtd. In Maynard) “The 8 million undocumented immigrants who are working pay about $13 billion a year in state, local and federal taxes…” Documented immigrants also have to pay taxes, truly showing the great contributors immigrants are to paying taxes. In addition to being great contributors, undocumented immigrants also must pay higher tax rates. The reason being, they are undocumented and do not qualify for the earned income tax credit, the major federal tax credit for low-income working families. This leads to tax bills being higher. The misconception can also be that undocumented immigrants do not pay taxes, but most have an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). Most immigrants apply for an ITIN in hopes of gaining legal status if a reform were to occur. Raul Hinojosa-Ojeda, founding director of the North American Integration and Development Center at the University of California, Los Angeles says” Just like native born citizens, immigrants pay personal taxes (like income and property tax), business taxes (like corporate profit taxes, dividends, and property taxes), and sales taxes.” Aside from paying personal taxes, they also pay other taxes that help the economy. Even if they rent, they still must pay property taxes. As said before, most immigrants file household income with hopes of one day reaching legal status. These people are in search of a better life, and in seek of living out the American Dream. They will do whatever it takes to one day reach legal status, that being paying taxes and playing their part as a habitant of the United States. Immigrants give the economy more than they take. The average immigrant pays nearly $1,800 or more in taxes than he or she benefits (National Research Council). Immigrants pay taxes, and cannot even receive any benefits like social security or 401K due to their status. The majority of immigrants come to the United States in their prime, their youth. They come here with a purpose to work and make a better life for themselves and their families. Their ultimate goal is to create a decent living for themselves, something most cannot do in their own countries. Therefore, they do not come with intentions of taking advantage of benefits but instead come to benefit the economy. Immigrants, undocumented or documented are tax payers just like native born citizens, and play their fair share of paying taxes which, boost the economy.
Aside from paying taxes, immigrants also fulfil the gaps of unwanted jobs. This unwanted job pool is greater than one can imagine. There are few Americans who want the position of cleaning restrooms, cleaning up after animals, or constructing buildings in undesirable weather. Americans also have the opportunity of higher education which allows them to choose a more desirable career. Immigrants take entry level jobs in custodian services, restaurants, and construction. These jobs do not pay well and may be highly undesirable. The reason this being, is that immigrants come with a purpose to work. Taking any jobs that are available to them, even if that means working outside in the beaming sun every single day. An example I can provide is my father, he works long hours in the sun and cold winters outside. Why? Because he came to this country in hopes of giving my siblings and I a better quality of life than he had. In addition to taking these unwanted jobs, they help fill labor shortages. Immigrants are filling labor shortages and are 25% of the housing construction workforce (Maynard). Due to immigrant’s dedication of reaching their goals, they do their jobs well and right. They take jobs that would not be fulfilled without immigrants. Immigrants complement rather than substitute work force for natives. The myth is that immigrants come to take jobs, but that is untrue. Instead, they create additional jobs that would normally not be there, such as needing translators or help filing their tax returns. There is always a need for people who clean buildings, or construct buildings. Americans would be forced to these undesirable jobs without immigrants. Natives need these jobs to be fulfilled by immigrants. Immigrants put their blood, sweat and tears into these jobs in order to pursue a better life. They boost the economy in an impacting way.
Another shocking fact for many people is that immigrants are more likely to start businesses. I believe they choose to be business owners due to their legal status and their desire. Small businesses generate billions of dollars to the economy. Most employers require for proof of documentation or a work permit. Therefore, they decide to begin their own businesses and invest in their futures and their families’ future. “They are twice as likely to start a new business. In 2008, for example, 0.53% of immigrants launched a new business, compared to 0.28% of native born individuals” (West). These immigrant-owned businesses create jobs, not only for more immigrants but also for American workers. They are willing to employ anyone who is determined to work hard and do not judge based on legal status. This provides more job opportunities for immigrants and Americans. For example, a Mexican restaurant may need a host that speaks fluent English and Spanish to be able to communicate with all customers. An American would be needed for that position. Immigrants are also more likely to create their own jobs, this also may be due to legal status and desire to prosper. When immigrants do find jobs, their employers may try to take advantage of them and give them lower pay than they deserve or treat them harshly. This is why immigrants prefer to be self-employed. An example I can provide is my mother, who has her own house cleaning business. Due to her education, she cannot find a decent paying job. She opted to be self-employed, and has been for 25 years now. Immigrants come here in search of better lives, they decide to invert what they have into a business. The Latin American culture is to work hard and put family first. Working hard and being your boss is a way to do so, especially when one does not have many options on careers. Immigrants have displayed a high level of entrepreneurial spirit. At whatever job they do, they are self-motivated and hardworking. It is arduous for one to leave his or her country, where everything is familiar and in their comfort zone. Immigrants come to the US without knowing the language, and starting brand new lives. They come to the US with purpose.
Given these points, immigrants are important contributors to the United States economy. They are large tax contributors, they pay sales and property taxes. Immigrants also take many unwanted jobs that natives do not take. For example, house cleaning and gardening. Lastly, immigrants also start businesses which in turn, benefit the economy greatly. Overall, immigrants are positive impactors of the United States economy.