What's Good for the Immigrant Is Good for the Economy

by Alex DiBranco · 2010-01-07 12:32:00 UTC
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People who think legalizing undocumented immigrants will destroy our economy and hurt American workers might be confused as to why the biggest unions in the country back comprehensive immigration reform that provides a pathway to citizenship. Well, perhaps an article in the L.A. Times today can help clear things up.

Turns out that if we pass a bill like CIR ASAP, which would legalize current undocumented immigrants and provide an easier path of entry for the future, we'll reap a $1.5 trillion benefit to GDP over the next decade. Not a bad chunk of change.

On the other hand, mass deportation of undocumented immigrants would cost us $2.6 trillion we can ill stand to spare.

The UCLA study draws in large part on analyzing what happened during a 1986 recession similar to today's debacle when we legalized 3 million undocumented immigrants. Short answer: economy up! And with four times the number of immigrants wishing and hoping for documents today, we could see four times the boost.

Photo: Tracey O

Alex DiBranco is a Change.org Editor who has worked for the Nation, Political Research Associates, and the Center for American Progress. She is now based in New York City.
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