non-immigrants are less willing to work on the farms (Mont 12). In terms of legalimmigrants, America must find a way to make immigration work for the good of the nation aswell as the best interest of the immigrants (Briggs 240). In the end a young immigrant populationmay very well save such programs as social security by increasing the number of workers in themarket (Mont 18). These are all economic benefits, but the diversity the United States gains is apriceless commodity that future generations of Americans will need to succeed in a growinginternational job market.The Cost of ImmigrationThe United States immigration policy does not allow people to immigrate if they areexpected to be dependant on public services. Yet in 1993 approximately 12% of the 5.9 millionrecipients of Supplemental Security Income benefits were immigrants, even though they onlyaccount for about 5% of the population (Mont 15). Statistics such as these add to the growinganti-immigrant sentiment among American citizens. This anti-immigrant attitude was clearlyreflected in 1994 with the passing of Californias Proposition 187. Actions such as Proposition187 can create a very hostile and possibly dangerous atmosphere for all immigrants. What it reallyboils down to is a belief among Americans that immigrants simply cost too much. Immigrationmeans increased job competition, more money spent on welfare, and increased competition foreducational funding. Although Proposition 187 was aimed at curbing the health care cost of illegalimmigrants, most Americans simply see it as an immigrant issue and pay little attention to detailsconcerning the status of those immigrants actually receiving benefits. Many believe that immigrantworkers, both legal and illegal, hold down wages in low paying jobs. Especially in areas such asCalifornias Central Valley where most of the workers are immigrant and up to 40% are believedto be illegal (Kirschten 16). Illegal ImmigrationThe main concern ...
