IMMIGRATION TO THE US
MYT HS/ PR EJU DIC ES/ CO NTR A
ARGUME NTS
REA LIT Y/ PRO AR GUM ENT S
-migrants tend to be of working age
and many come without their families
theoretically, an increase supply of
workers (who accept lower wages)
would drive down wages for unskilled
local workers; immigrants take away
jobs
in reality: slight depression on
wages for the lower paid; more
competition for low skilled jobs
-migrant workers do jobs which
Americans do not want to do
they are desperately needed in
areas like agriculture (fruit pickers),
private households (cleaning women),
childcare (nannies), nursing homes
-skilled workers
-they boost the economy because they
increase demand
creates more job opportunities
-they use government services (health
and social care, education services)
while paying low/ no taxes
-they cost the government a substantial
amount of money
burden on the welfare system
-they live on taxpayers’ money
-strain public services (e.g. education
facilities, hospitals)
-they earn their own money
-they work hard to make a living/ to
make ends meet
offers other people jobs when they
start e.g. their own business
-they pay taxes by buying food etc./
sales tax
