LEGAL IMMIGRANTS
Legal Immigrants
Contrary to derogatory stereotypes that immigration proves to be a detrimental aspect of society, immigrant work ethic, dedication, and contributions (through taxes) serve as a crucial role in the New York State economy. After traveling thousands of miles and leaving all familiarities behind, these people come to a new country only to be met by social, vocal, political and economic barriers. Though some states (such as New York) are more accommodating then others, immigrants vigorously strive to achieve the “American Dream” which in turn provides an economic stimulus for the environment in which they live. This is done in several ways including, a larger work force with an extremely contagious incomparable work ethic, an increase in taxes paid to the government and local municipalities, and an increase in local consumerism.
Two reasons New York State serves as an ideal destination for immigrants and is so accommodating are the New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC) and the view on immigration held by the state officials. The NYIC provides a variety of vital services to the immigrant population, which may appear nearly impossible to obtain in other states across the nation. Having been founded in 1987, the New York Immigration Coalition has emerged into a powerful advocacy voice whose “priorities include fighting for broad legalization and comprehensive immigration reform measures; increasing the availability of key integration services such as English language and literacy programs, legal services, and citizenship classes; combating discrimination and ensuring civil rights and workplace protections; and improving immigrants’ access to quality health care, education, and safe and affordable housing”[i]. In addition to alleviating the conditions of established immigrants, this organization assists in eliminating many of the barriers immigrants face upon arrival. In an effort to increase political power and provide a larger legal legislative voice for the immigrant population, over 100 voter education events are held annually which has registered over 235,000 new citizens to vote. Similarly, the New York Immigration Coalition attempts to eradicate language as an immigration barrier by producing educational materials in twelve different languages. These documents contain critical information regarding law developments, the citizen process, voting abilities, school registration and health care access[ii].
Although the NYIC aspires to exterminate all immigration hardships, cooperation of the New York State government is essential. Luckily, respected politicians such as Mayor Bloomberg recognize the colossal role immigrants’ supply in the NYS economy and the necessity for their sustainability. This is seen through statements such as: “This city and this country were built by immigrants. Thrive on immigrants. And without more immigrants we don’t have a future.”[iii] For this reason, Mayor Bloomberg has recently issued a new executive order that establishes basic principles city agencies must abide by serving constituents who cannot yet speak English fluently. Consequently, each agency will be required to convey information into a more basic and understandable form, in addition to translating important forms into the city’s six most commonly spoken languages.
Economically, immigrants provide both, a dedicated work force (which contributes to New York’s tax department and the organizations which relay on it) and consumers on which many companies rely. According to Mayor Bloomberg, “recent studies put the lie to the old argument that immigrants take jobs away from native-born Americans and significantly depress wages.“[iv] In fact, reports have shown that “the average incomes of first to second-generation Americans ($26,800) are virtually identical to those of third-and-higher-generation Americans ($26,900)”[v]. Today after breaching many barriers through an outstanding work ethic, immigrants comprise a quarter of all CEOs who live in New York City, over a third of the architects and half of the accountants. Upstate New York where immigrants only represent five percent of the population, they account for twenty percent of university professors and more then thirty five percent of physicians and surgeons[vi]. The researchers of the Fiscal Policy Institute found that these immigrants as well as others (who compose over twenty percent of the State’s population) added $229 billion to the economy is 2006 alone and accounted for 22.4 percent of New York’s gross domestic product[vii].
Similarly, in contrast to beliefs that immigrants “take advantage” of the American Nation’s government’s assistance programs many of these services are in reality, heavily funded by immigrants living in New York State. In NYS, immigrants on average contribute more then $19.3 billion in taxes. Of this amount about 69 percent or $13.3 billion is paid to the federal government in the forms of income tax, social security tax and unemployment insurance. The remaining $6 billion dollars is allocated to state and local governments. [viii]
In an interview with a legalized immigrant from Sweden working in the Baruch library, much was learnt in regards to the work ethic of immigrants. Asǎ (pronounced Oh-say) reported her average of workday consisted of approximately 16 hours. The first half of the day is spent working in Baruch College in the student library. The second half of her workday is allocated to working for a television productions company. When asked why so many hours were spent working, Asǎ responded: “I just wouldn’t feel right living off other people’s money and I’ve was just always taught to pay my own way”. Although the amount of hourly labor provided by Asǎ is unlike the average American, Asǎ agrees the amount she consumes is highly comparable. With the little time left for personal relaxation, “shopping is definitely one of the more fun things to do”.
With such of an immense amount of positive attributes stemming from immigrants, one must question the negative outlook on immigration. Do people candidly believe immigrants similar to Asǎ are truly detrimental to society? Or, are people simply fearful of an increase in highly motivated individuals competing in the same market?
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