British Views on Immigration

   Today, British authorities announced plans to promote a new agenda in parliamentary proceedings. The new agenda is a tougher stance on immigration. This is significant in the immigration debate in the United States.

   The two countries are closely allied and major political changes in either country garner interest in the other. In a time when immigration reform is the hot button issue in the United States, when Britain comes out with a statement that promotes a tough immigration agenda, this is significant.

   On Wednesday, British authorities announced plans to "make it easier to deport foreigners who commit serious crimes, increase fines on companies that use illegal labor and force private landlords to check the immigration status of their tenants. Temporary migrants would also be forced to pay for some health care."

In a time when views on immigration are softening, this puts a wrench in the gears of immigration reform. Time will tell if these views become dominant and are sent across to our lawmakers as anti-immigration fuel.






References:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/09/world/europe/britain-urges-tougher-immigration-laws.html?_r=0 

Economics of Amnesty

     A recent report published by the Heritage Foundation, a politically conservative group, was obtained by Fox News. The focus of the report is to discuss the impact that immigration and amnesty would have on our economic situation. Specifically, it hopes to bring to light the impact that would come about if newly legalized immigrants were able to tap into benefits from the government.

     The report is being called biased and wrong. Stephen Moore, and economist and journalist for the Wall Street Times had this to say about the report:
"You've got to look at both sides of the equation. Yes the immigrants will use benefits no question about that, but as they become more productive citizens and they come out of the shadows, a lot of economists-myself included- think they 'll become more productive and they'll pay more taxes."

     Despite these claims, some are calling the findings alarming. In the report, the Heritage Foundation states that when amnesty is granted to illegal immigrants, the government will have new expenses to the tune of 6.3 trillion dollars. They contrast this amount against a 3.1 trillion dollar increase in revenue as a result of taxes.

     While many find these reports highly alarming, many are calling these numbers erroneous. The loudest criticism is that the report assumes no financial mobility. It assumes that illegal immigrants receiving amnesty would remain in low paying, low skill jobs for the duration of their working lives and this, in all likelihood, would certainly not be the case. 

     Regardless of interpretations and speculations about the future, amnesty would bring a profound change to our country- especially economically, whether for good or bad. 

Source:

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2013/05/06/study-pegs-cost-immigration-bills-mass-legalization-at-63t/