Most people, at some point in their lives, will leave the place they call home – maybe just to travel, or perhaps forever. Whether that move is prompted by economic opportunity, natural disaster, war, or the desire for a better life, emigrants are the foundation of global culture. In fact, it is a safe bet that the vast majority of the people reading this article have been or will be immigrants themselves at some point in their life.
Depending on where they live, these individuals may be known by different terms. For instance, those who have migrated to another country legally are called “immigrants.” This term has a specific meaning in the context of international migration, although many countries, like the United States, use the phrase to encompass both legal and illegal migrants.
A person is considered to be an immigrant when he or she has changed his or her permanent residence in order to live in a different country for 12 months or more. This includes those who have obtained citizenship of their new country, served in the military or a foreign government’s armed forces, married a citizen of their destination country, or have some other status that makes them “legal.”
In the United States, there are currently 41.3 million immigrants. The country is home to people from all over the world and from just about every imaginable background. Immigrants have been integral to the economy, adding to productivity and boosting GDP. Moreover, they have not strained public coffers, as some would suggest. In fact, on average, immigrants spend more than they earn, contributing to the GDP and creating jobs – they are not a net drain on public resources.
The influx of newcomers has been especially beneficial for rural communities. According to research by the Center for American Progress (CAP), these communities benefit from increased economic activity brought about by the presence of immigrants who are less likely to rely on social services. Immigrants also are more likely to be employed than native-born residents and pay taxes, which contribute to the community’s fiscal well-being.
Furthermore, according to CAP, if immigrants were allowed to stay and work legally in the United States, they would add a cumulative $1.2 trillion dollars to the nation’s GDP over the next decade. They would also boost the earnings and consumption of the entire population, including native-born Americans, by $625 billion dollars.
Regardless of their origins, most immigrants share similar values and sentiments. A study of immigrant experiences by the nonprofit group Public Agenda found that 74 percent of respondents say they would choose to migrate again, and 80 percent feel that the U.S. is a unique country that stands for something special in the world. In the same vein, more people are becoming more aware of how important it is to support and celebrate the contributions of immigrants in their communities. Nevertheless, some people are trying to reverse this narrative. They want to see migrants as consumers, not the scapegoats of rising inequality, economic stagnation, and a lack of opportunities.