Do we need illegal immigrants in the USA?

Question

They may be illegal, but we still need them

A dose of simplicity can sometimes lead to a lot of understanding.

Just consider Chronicle business columnist Loren Steffy's piece this week where he broke down some basic numbers that no one disputes. I'll let him explain it in his own words:

The market is telling us something that many of us don't want to hear.

It whispers it in the numbers that filter, largely overlooked, through the immigration debate. Consider the most basic: In Texas, we have an estimated 1.1 million undocumented workers, compared with 450,000 people listed as unemployed.

Even if every unemployed Texan had a job, we still wouldn't have enough people to meet the labor demand, even if we sent all the illegal immigrants home.

Nationally, we face a narrower gap but the same situation -- about 8.1 million illegal immigrants and about 7.5 million unemployed workers.

Answer 1

Of course we do, I mean every race has their group of people who are a menace, but they usually always have a larger group who is good.

Yes some Mexicans are bad... but a lot of them are good and out-going.

Just like white people. I ean yeah, a lot of them are good... but what about the ones who always end up in jail and are drug addicts and all of that? there's always "those people" who ruin it for the rest of them.

But... to answer your question, this country needs illegal immigrants, in case you didn't know, illegal immigrants still have to pay taxes no matter what... so we're still adding money into the u.s.'s pocket... and what about all the jobs that preppy white people are too good for like McDonalds and cleaning houses and cutting the grass and stuff?? Well illegal immigrants take those jobs... what's so wrong about that?

When this country finally decides they want to get their lazy butts up to do things themselves like cooking and cleaning and stuff, then there will no longer be a use for illegal immigrants... but what's the chance of that?

Plus, we have a language that the rest of the country is learning which in effect, gives them a bigger pay check, so you owe an apology and a thank you for that.

The white people came here as illegal immigrants too and decided that they weren't leaving because they wanted a better life. That's all we're doing too... and you know what??? We're no leaving either, because we, too, want a better life.

Answer 2

Of course we need em. I didn't know there was a question that illegal immigrants fill a need in our workforce that Americans just aren't willing to fill. If we could shape up the welfare system and get the deadbeats who have no real disabilities or handicaps off of a free check and all the perks that come with it and working instead, maybe the answer would be different.

Answer 3

Tony you always ask the most poignant questions!!

I don't however think we NEED them...

according to the current George bush-esque way of thinking...we, the USA don't NEED anybody...which is fine until...we NEED HELP...which we will at some point NEED...We should remember the land was here before we "discovered" it & it will still be here long after we are gone

I do think that we should welcome their diversity, a well rounded country is one that at least practices strategic kindness, it's good business & why shouldn't we keep the interests of our continental neighbors close to heart...both Canada & Mexico, at the very least be cordial...As for the jobs...just like there is no conceivable way that every unsolved crime ever committed will be solved, with or without "illegals" we will always have either too many or not enough jobs...

I ditto fragglerocks answer as well

Answer 4

No we don't need them.

Answer 5

To answer your question: Yes we need them. It is that simple.

On another note: I think it is really interesting that this is an issue to begin with. Once upon a time, in a place called EARTH (as in the whole world) people migrated from one place to another freely. They were called nomads. This practice is still upheld today in various regions and tribes throughout Africa, tropical locales and thensome.

Or as a Christian may view it, these "illegal" immigrants are simply doing as God mandated (one of his first directions actually) to "Be fruitful and become many and fill the earth and subdue it, and have in subjection the fish of the sea and the flying creatures of the heavens and every living creature that is moving upon the earth.” (Genesis 1:28)

Therefore, I can only think to reason that it is in our genetic make-up to desire to roam about the Earth - becoming many (addressing the issue of why various cultures have large families) and doing as necessary to provide for those families.

It is simply MAN who feels the need to place rules and restrictions on his fellow man, in a sore attempt to take from him that which he can (otherwise, immigration would consist of little more than registration and having medicals done as it once was performed, instead of accompanying outrageous filing and/ or attorney fees).

Answer 6

Hi! well, just to let you know, im 100% in support of immigrants. I honestly think that we do need immigrants in our country. Some people think that they should get deported and things like that, but think about all the money that the U.S. would have to spend on deporting them. Thats Milliones of dollars! Also, some people say that immigrants are only criminals and that theyre up to no good. But think about some Americans. Dont  Americans also commit crimes? How about welfare. People say that immigrants abuse the welfare and medicaid. BUT dont americans do the same? Most americans depend on welfare to survive. Most of them can get jobs, but choose not to because they find it easier to live off the government. Another thing i can think about is how people say that immigrants come to take away the jobs from American citizens. I think that is so not true. Immigrants have to support their families by any means nessesary. Any job that any American does not want..like cleaning bathrooms...an immigrant will take. They have to support their family. Immigrants contribute greatly to our economy. They buy things, start businesses, rent homes, buy homes, buy cars, and some do pay taxes, and they make our country more diverse.Why do we feel a need to criticize immigrants just because they want a better life for themselves?

Answer 7

No.  And in fact, there are not any circumstances in the world where we need... illegal .....  aliens in this country.  That possession of a fake I.D. leads to a great deal of pain for citizens and should be seriously punished.  A tomato farm and a working prison would be great, for example.

But.. the illegal aliens create their own market in this country.  We need to remove that influence, we need to change the law to force the Federal Government to count ALL the people who are unemployed, and to release all the data about the illegal aliens, and then decide.  

To all concerned.. early on in this battle, employers were letting American Citizens go, and hiring illegal aliens.  Those American Citizens asked for an extension a good while ago, and were refused.  We have, as it happens, a huge number of people who have fallen through the cracks and are not accounted for, and don't have a chance of getting out of that mess until this business of illegal aliens and the sub prime mortgages is completed.  And that issue, by the way, is an excellent example of the fake I.D.s in action, and why we need to stand back for a while and take stock for about a year and one half.

Answer 8

I read a similar article recently about what the real cost of deporting all of the illegals would be if they were deported. From what you quoted, I am sure its the same article. I think we do need some of the illegals here. They estimate that there are 12-20 million undocumented workers in the US, most working for under $28k a year. Yes some Americans would be willing to fill these jobs, but alot would also be unwilling. I think that, due to overcrowding and public safety, some do need to be deported (criminals, gang members, drug smuggler/sellers/users, theives, etc). But others, those with families, homes, good job history (especially in skilled fields), tax payers etc, should be allowed to apply for and recieve their green cards and/or citizenship. I think that if we keep 50-60% (give or take) here and deport 40-50% (give or take) that should put things back in check. I do think that deporting them ALL would be a lot for our economy (that is already going down) to take on. People sometimes don't understand how deporting them all would take effect on every aspect of American life. And the likelihood of deporting them all is not high. That being said, I think alot of people are going to have to get over their ideas that we should deport them all.

Edit: like Gema said bellow me, many people do not want jobs like McDonalds. I have worked McDonalds off and on for a few years, and I actually met my husband at my first job which was a McDonalds. I know alot of people in various locations around here that have been working at McDonalds for as much as ten years, and their pay would surprise you. I think that one person that I know has worked for over 4 years in a McDonalds and he makes only $12 as a manager/supervisor. Another I know make just a little over $8 for over two years of work. I certainly am not wanting to work in McDonalds again, or become a McDonalds lifer. I am surprised that these people have stayed as long as they have.

Answer 9

I agree, with the math, we do need immigrants.  However, I see a problem of some breaking the law.  The even better questions is why continue to allow that law to be broken - why not allow other laws to be broken as well?  Also, people are undocumented - there have been crimes committed and the simple solution is to just send them back, instead of facing our criminal justice system.  Not fair.

I like the idea of immigrants, just the legal way.

Answer 10

to answer..in one sense YES, they're very beneficial to the economy.(although I believe the bunk about them taking the jobs Americans won't fill is just that, bunk--why?..well, Americans should either take the jobs or lose their(lazy-a**)unemployment benefits) etc.....But as far as being needed,here's an example of how they help the economy-- we know for a fact,from union workers, many come in and get jobs at low rates of pay on non union jobs...resulting in an almost epidemic of inferior work....as a result ,the companies then need to get the shoddy work corrected, and that usually winds up with a phone call to the local union hall....thus,more money for union work..thus more guys on the job making better money for quality work..and they spend their money..and we're all better off. So, in a perverted way, they're helping....but I still say send'em home and avoid the shoddy work in the first place.

Answer 11

Let's do some more math:

With 1.1 fewer people in the state of Texas, many of those 650,000 unfilled jobs will no longer be necessary.

I'm not saying I'm for or against, but you need to look at the WHOLE picture. Anything can be proven by statistics if you only choose the numbers that suit your case.

Answer 12

Nope we don't need them. The FACTS are that illegals are a drain on the economy (Billions of tax dollars squandered), a burden on our social service programs (over crowded schools) , a burden on our hospitals (been to an Emergency Room in the SW US lately?), a threat to national security (If you can't do something as simple as obey the law you are a threat) and a confirmed threat to the nation's health (numerous cases of drug resistant diseases now showing up in illegals).

We have huge untapped pools of legal citizens that can be used to replace those with no right to be here. Replace welfare with Workfare for example and how about those 3 million plus Americans sitting on their asses in jails and prisons, you want parole then WORK for it.

Answer 13

I used a similar argument with a woman I know who *couldn't* find a job.  We live in California.  If you're unemployed here it's because you want to be.  After explaining to her that the jobs "they" were taking were the ones she didn't want anyways, she proceeded to tell me she would take any job.  Ok, get in the car.  It's pear season and they're hiring at the sheds.  Of course it's unpleasant, low-paying work, but it is work.  She promptly developed a mysterious ailment that would only appear if I offered to take her to a fast food restaurant to apply as a dishwasher or out to one of our many agricultural regions as a field worker.

As someone who has never particularly wanted to work the fields as a migrant farmworker, I tend to agree they do fill an important role in my region.  I also very much like the fact that my fresh fruits and veggies are so cheap.  

I also have to point out that I do not agree with national borders being so stringent.  Historically people have moved to areas where there is opportunity for them to have basic things like food, shelter and work.  Why should people be penalized for simply trying to survive by moving to where those things are in abundance?  I don't feel they should.  Our immigration laws need to be overhauled, but they certainly should not be made even more punitive.  

~Syl

Answer 14

Of course America needs them, without them a lot of Americans would stop living off the government and would be forced to get a job

Answer 15

We do not have, nor do we NEED illegal criminal aliens. We do not NEED 30 million "pear pickers". In reality, illegal criminal aliens work in nearly every job field in the country.

Only a small percentage work in the fields "picking fruit or vegetables".

If we honestly NEED more immigrants, we can simply raise our immigration quotas. We have at least a BILLION people in the world that would immigrate to our country in a heartbeat. We have a quota BECAUSE we cannot accept all immigrants into our country. Those that come here illegally spit on our immigration laws, our citizens, and our country. Period.

They deserve to be deported...nothing less.

Answer 16

Your math has one flaw. If the Illegals were out would we really need the empty jobs. All the extra people create a need for jobs to provide services and such.

Answer 17

No we do not need them!!!! You have only the ones "listed" as unemployed, unless you are collecting unemployment, you are not listed. How many have ran out of unemployment that need jobs. How many teenagers need those jobs? They are not "listed" because they have not worked yet. I do dispute his numbers because there a large group of people he has chosen to leave out!! Illegals need to go home on their own or be deported!!!

Answer 18

No, we do not NEED illegals in the US!!!

If they want to live and work here in the US, then why don't they become CITIZENS????????

Do you have any facts to support your numbers?

Answer 19

Don't you think we have enough poor American citizens in our country that will do the jobs that the illegal do. All we have to do is pay them a fair salary. Why should we bring illegals that we don't know who they are and what they carry. I think that anybody that come into our country should do it legally and with the government supervision. We cannot afford millions and millions of poor people just because they say that they just come to work, it is not that simple. I don't think that big corporations and the people that hire the illegals are doing it just because they can't find Americans citizens to do the job, they are doing it so they could exploit them and violate the labor law, that is the only reason. They treat this illegals like 'slaves' and the question is to the pro illegals, Do you agree with the way they are treat it. I don't think so!! Let's start thinking about our own first!!!

Answer 20

No, we do not need the illegal criminal alien invaders in this country.  We did without them before and can do without them again.

Legal immigrants are always welcome.