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Free Example of Migrant Workers in USA Essay
It is outright and essential to look into significant impacts of migrant workers in USA to evaluate how they feature in the country. The migrant workers have considerable effects in several and diverse fields including demographics, economy, social, political and religious fields.
Demographic Impacts
Demographically, the Census Bureau in USA presented estimates the population in the country forecasting that this would grow from at least 281 million in 2000 to an estimated 397 mil in 2050 with expected absolute inputs from the migrant workers. The report also indicated that if the country does not entertain migrant workers, it would experience low birthrates and eventually, the American population would begin to shrink. A survey from the Pew Research Center estimated that, by 2050, migrant workers especially non-Hispanic whites would account an estimated 47% of the country’s population (United States Labor Department). The same data foresees the migrant workers particularly from the Hispanic population rising from 14% in 2005 to an estimated 29% by 2050. In addition, it is noted that the migrant workers representing the Asian population would be more than triple by the year 2050. Generally, because of the migrant workers still crossing borders and entering USA, the country’s population is due to rise relatively from 296 million in the year 2005 to an estimated 438 million, showing an 82% as particularly from the migrant workers.
Economic Impacts
An enormous effect of the migrant workers in USA also features in the economic field. However, there are many and varying opinions about the economic effects of migrant workers into the country (Lindsay 3). Some opinions find that migrant workers produce a negative effect on the country’s economy (George). Their opinions focus often on the difference existing between government services received and taxes paid as well as wage-lowering effects ideally among native workers. There are also scholars finding more, positive economic effects, which focus on lower costs for certain goods and productivity (Siby 5080-5081). In a late 1980s research, economists overwhelmingly viewed migrant workers, including illegal migrant workers, as ideally, positive for the economy (United States Labor Department). Santa Monica, led the National Research Council study titled, the New Americans: Demographic, Economic and Fiscal Effects of migrant workers. They espoused that migrant workers to the country contribute an estimated $10 billion to the country’s economy each year (George). The NRC report indicated that although migrant workers, especially the ones from Latin America, posed as a net cost in taxes paid versus social services they received; overall, migrant workers were a net economic gain. This is because of the increase in pay particularly for higher-skilled workers, prices lowering for services and goods produced by the migrant workers’ labor, and lower wages and more efficiency for some owners of capital (George).
The report also reflected that although migrant workers compete with ideally domestic workers especially for some low skilled jobs, some migrant workers specialize in several activities, which otherwise do not exist in an area, and, therefore, perform services that would not exist. Therefore, they are beneficial to all domestic residents and play a dominant role in improving the country’s economy (Lindsay 3). It is estimated that 21 million migrant workers, or 15 percent of the entire labor force, particularly hold jobs in USA (Rothenberg). However, the estimated number of unemployed residents is only seven million. This means that migrant workers do not take jobs from domestic workers. Considerably, they do jobs that would not exist had the migrant workers not come to United States.
Social Impact
Migrant workers in USA also pose a significant social effect to the country. It is arguable that the more contact that a native-born American has with migrant workers, characteristically the more positive view of migrant workers one has (Migrant Clinicians Network). Conversely, the less contact that a native-born American has with migrant workers, the more the likelihood one would have negative opinions of the migrant workers. A prominent example is Benjamin Franklin, who was in opposition to opposed German, migrant workers, stating that ideally these workers would not assimilate well into the culture. It is evident and remembered that in 1850s, Irish migrant workers were opposed the natives in New York engendered by fears that the country would be overwhelmed by Irish, migrant workers (Migrant Clinicians Network). In 1891, a mob stormed a local jail in the country hanging several Italians following the release of Sicilian migrant workers alleged to be involved in an earlier murder of David Hennessy, a New Orleans police chief. As a result, the 1921Emergency Quota Act was passed by the congress, with the 1924 Immigration Act following suit. These Acts aimed at Southern Europeans restrictions that had begun to migrate into the country in large numbers early in the 1890s.
Additionally, it is evident from history that Systematic bias particularly against German and Japanese immigrants emerged after World War II due to the rivalry between these countries and USA (Rothenberg). On the other hand, Jewish and Irish migrant workers were popular targets in the early 20th century and recently migrant workers from Latin America are the ones viewed with hostility. It is also arguable that some Americans still have not adjusted unreservedly to racism and non-European migrant workers entering the country sporadically (Migrant Clinicians Network). Relatively, after September 11, majority of Middle Eastern migrant workers and the ones perceived to be of Middle Eastern origins particularly were targets of the existing hate crimes bleaching a negative social contact with these populations.
Minority racism, conversely, is considerable at times as being controversial because of power theories in society. Following the interaction between natives and the migrant workers, racist thinking does occur. For instance, blacks and Korean migrant workers conflicts notable in the 1992, in Los Angeles, indicate how the migrants have a social impact on the native society. Conversely, long running racial tension exists between Mexican and African American migrant workers in USA particularly on ethnic reasons (Johnston). There have also been reports of racial conflicts against African Americans migrant workers who moved into neighborhoods precisely occupied by the Mexican migrant workers. Violence is also evidently on the increase between non-Hispanic migrants and Latino migrants, and between African migrants and African Americans posing as an enormous problem and creating tensions among many ethnic groups in USA (Migrant Clinicians Network).
Political and Religious Impact
Similarly, migrant workers to USA brought in a political influence, in the country. The migrant workers perpetually differ on political views. However, the Democratic Party is considerable the choice of many migrants in USA as holds a far stronger position especially among these migrants. On matters of religion, research indicates that religious affiliation significantly influences the migrant workers’ social values and their voting patterns as well as the entire American population (Siby 5080-5081). Hispanic evangelicals who are among the migrants, for instance, are more conservative than their fellow non-Hispanic evangelicals are. This outright trend is similar often for Hispanics and many others strongly who identify with the Catholic Church. Crime also existed in the evaluation of what influence migrant workers had in USA and continues to hold currently. It, however, poses as a political issue because most of its analysis is political in nature. Empirical studies on crucial links between migrant workers and crime are mixed. Some studies suggest that migrant workers are underrepresented majorly in criminal statistics. According to these studies, native-born Americans between 18 and 39 hold a five times more likelihood of being incarcerated than the migrant workers in the same demographic (Rothenberg). There is, however, other reports indicating the migrant workers in USA increased the level of crime with rates being on a high especially in the past ten years. Arguably, migrant workers view on their relations with crime in the region is a broad issue, which needs a thorough evaluation.
Health Impact
It is also noteworthy that migrant workers in USA, being a part of the population hold and influence in Health matters of the country (Dever). The topic of health is widely discussed in the event of analyzing the migrant workers into the country. The discussion mainly associates with the cost of public health services (Centers for Disease Prevention and Control). Migrant workers, illegal or legal, use the public health system, including the emergency room services. The use of these services indicates ostensibly incapacity to pay for the same (Alderete 608–614). It is therefore, reported that usage of these services by the migrant workers remains ostensibly unpaid for. This, therefore, has created a high level of dispute on the much these migrant workers cost USA in the public health system.
Conversely, a major influence in health is evident when it comes to the fact that migrations from diverse regions for these workers increase the high incidences of diseases. The same is thought to have been the main issue fueling the resurgence of hepatitis and tuberculosis (TB), in areas of low incidence (Alderete 608–614). According to reports by the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC), many TB cases among foreign individuals in USA remain disproportionately high, approximately nine times that rate of U.S.-born persons. As a result, reducing the diseases risk in low-incidence areas pleaded for a countermeasure being screening of migrant workers on arrival (Centers for Disease Prevention and Control).
On the same note, medic in USA arguably reflect that HIV/AIDS entered the country in about 1969 most likely through an infected migrant worker from Haiti. Conversely, new HIV infections ideally in Mexico can be traced to USA (Dever). At that time, people infected with HIV/AIDS were totally, banned from entering USA in 1987 through an executive order; however, a 1993 statute supporting the established ban was ideally lifted in 2009. Generally, heavy migration into USA especially in the southwest led powerful influences in the health sector. Among other fears were the pressures on the water supply ideally in some areas as well as other amenities that many experts argue as being a burden to the country but a blessing, on the other hand.
Conclusion
Migrant workers have featured in USA for over the past two centuries a immense deal. It is convenient to note that they have substantial impacts in the social, economic, political and religious, as well as the health sectors in the country. Ana analysis of this paper gives an overview of these impacts and reveals a note to evaluate the efficacy of migrants to the country.