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2
3
NO YES
Debate Score:5
Arguments:5
Total Votes:5
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 NO (2)
 
 YES (3)

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Is illegal immigration an economic burden to America?

NO

Side Score: 2
VS.

YES

Side Score: 3
1 point

Here's what I posted in a nearly identical thread (I believe when you're making a 'new' debate, you should probably check to make sure one hasn't already been made)

"It depends on your looking. If your looking at the state and local levels, it seems a bit more painful. However, if you look at the federal government, it's actually positive. It appears that illegal immigration actually helps the economy by increasing the GDP by .1%. Sure, that isn't a huge amount of increase, but it certainly discredits argument that illegal immigrants are just a drain on our economy. When I say it looks more painful on the state and local level this is because the low-skilled workers tend to have a tougher time finding jobs because of the competition with the undocumented workers. However, the consumers are the direct beneficiaries of that competition, though it may hurt those unskilled laborers. The illegal immigrants drive down production costs which give a lower cost to consumers, and this is a link that is often forgotten.

Meanwhile, even while some claim they are just idly sitting by absorbing our tax dollars in the form of public schools and emergency room care, these immigrants are spending money on federal social security and income taxes, and locally on sales and property taxes. Perhaps this is why it's difficult to claim illegal immigration is good or bad for the economy. While it has a net positive good, this is not to say there are not problems with illegal immigration that must be addressed."

And here's from another thread, very similar:

"What is important is that overwhelmingly, immigrants (illegal and legal) seem to help the economy, or at least do not necessarily hurt the economy.

Immigrants generate over $90 billion in taxes and have only $5 billion in welfare (http://www.aclu.org/immigrants-rights/immigrants-and-economy).

If one were to legalize illegal immigrants, a study found that it could generate an additional $1.5 trillion to our GDP (http://www.cnn.com/2010/POLITICS/01/07/ immigration.economy/index.html)

And here's a Newsweek article on why they don't hurt the economy. I'll let the reader see for himself.

There are not a fixed amount of jobs in the US, and (il)legal immigrants generate a profit which help to spur the creation of new jobs and new businesses. Therefore, claiming that immigrants take our jobs is merely fear-mongering. See any of my links. http://www.newsweek.com/2010/05/14/why-americans-think-wrongly-that-illegal-immigrants-hurt-the-economy.html"

If the above is tl;dr: No.

Side: No
1 point

I would say yes because we have to support the services that they cannot afford. Plus, they take low wage jobs that belong to Americans. This takes American jobs away from Americans! Some may say that the illegal immigrants have to pay taxes as well, but some are undocumented workers, so their income isn't taxed. So, I would say they are an economic burden to America...

Side: yes
casper3912(1581) Disputed
1 point

Those who do not pay taxes nor insurance can in some cases be thought of as "free riders", those who use services without paying for them. A illegal immigrant which doesn't use a public service nor one which requires insurance is most certainly not a free rider though, in some areas it may be possible for a illegal immigrant to keep their use of public services and effect on insurance rates to a minimum; such that its not really a economic burden. If the majority of illegal immigrants are such, it can't be said that the they are a drain on our economy in that sense.

I would assume most illegal immigrants are concentrated in the south, and likely in areas where federal and state tax money is unlikely to be spent heavily. The local taxes not being paid would effect the local inhabitants, and if a large proportion of them are illegal immigrates then those mainly affected are not Americans. The American's in such areas are likely not dependent on local tax dollars for much either, a school, a courthouse, and some roads. After one generation of a large illegal immigration the tax base will likely grow, so long as kids born in America are documented; which does mean a increase in insurance rates and possibly a small hike in taxes, but it could be structured by ingenious law makers to fall primarily on the descendants of illegal immigrates in some areas. After children are born and 15 years passes A higher tax on youth perhaps then elderly, since the youth have children that would actually be using the schools. This would cause more of the tax burden to fall on the cause of the increase.

Most low paying jobs are undesirable for the majority of Americans, illegal immigrates do lesson the competition in the labor markets but not necessarily to the point where Americans or legal immigrates which would work in such fields can not compete. Actually, the health and vitality of a industry may be dependent on there being enough workers willing to do the job, or willing to do it for a low wage. If the wage increases or workers decrease the negative effects on the industry may ripple out to the entire economy. So many people who are willing to work for a low wage, possibly under the table, may be the cause of the economy being as healthy as it is.

Side: No
1 point

Absolutely it is and considering the economic situation we find ourselves in, it's time to stop wasting money on illegals... except to send them back.

Side: yes
1 point

Of course illegal aliens are an economic burden to America. They strain the budgets of our law enforcement agencies, crowd our schools (more cost to the taxpayer, less opportunity for our children), take American jobs, most don't pay taxes, they crowd our neighborhoods, commit auto insurance fraud (which drives up the price for everyone else), use emergency rooms as their primary care (with no intention of paying the bill). Deport them all in 2013 vote for anyone but Obama!!

Side: YES