As Americans gear up for the upcoming presidential election, immigration stands out as the paramount concern, ranking as the nation’s top issue according to Gallup polls. Leading the charge in the rhetoric on immigration is former president and presumed GOP nominee, Donald Trump.
He has fashioned his political platform around calls to fortify the border and shield America from what he perceives as the perils of immigration, citing concerns about diminishing wages and strained social benefit programs. In a recent address to a crowd in Michigan, he asserted, “When you have millions of people coming in, they’re going to take your jobs.”
Negative narrative
The notion of immigrants displacing native workers is a longstanding contention, tracing back over a century to contemporary accusations such as those leveled against Tyson Foods for allegedly replacing American employees with immigrant labor. However, research from Boston University challenges this narrative, suggesting that immigrants play a vital role in stimulating local economies by fostering innovation and elevating wage levels.
Furthermore, the impact of a surge in migrants can be enduring, bolstering a region’s appeal to foreign investors and creating sustained export opportunities, even decades later. Frequently, the influx of immigrants also attracts native workers to the area, enticed by the prospects of a revitalized economy.
The research underscores how residing in proximity to individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds can reshape attitudes toward foreign-born populations, reducing animosity and bias while fostering empathy and understanding. Moreover, residents cohabiting with these individuals may exhibit less inclination to support political candidates who vilify them.
However, the economic perspective introduces nuances that complicate this narrative. Studies indicate that not all members of a community reap equal benefits from an influx of migrants, a point that resonates with millions of voters seeking to curb immigration. Despite the overall positive impact on communities, the arrival of new residents fails to elevate the wages of existing workers without a high school diploma. Additionally, the educational and skill levels of migrants play a crucial role: higher levels of education correlate with more favorable economic outcomes.
The researchers delved into decades of migration data in the United States to assess the influence of incoming migrants on economic expansion, wage rates, and innovation. They gauged innovation by analyzing the volume of new patents filed in specific regions. According to their findings, an uptick in innovative ideas typically correlates with a proliferation of new businesses and products.
“More immigrants creates more economic growth,” the authors explain. “And because it creates more economic growth locally, it raises the wages of the people who are already there.”
