Opinion: Anti-immigrant vitriol isn't just bigotry. It also hugely misunderstands our economy
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Conservative leaders have used pressures at the U.S.-Mexico border to vilify immigrants and refugees. However, this anti-immigrant sentiment misunderstands the realities of the economy. Immigrants, including a large undocumented population, make significant contributions to the economy, paying taxes and contributing to spending power. Immigrants are also overrepresented in high-risk jobs and are twice as likely as citizens to work for hourly compensation below the prevailing 'living wage.' Immigrant entrepreneurs and investors drive much of the country's innovation, with immigrants launching more than half of America's startup companies valued at $1 billion or more. California has led in policies that address the needs and potential of noncitizens, providing benefits such as driver's licenses, college scholarships, low-income tax credits, direct cash aid during the pandemic, and Medi-Cal health coverage. However, more can be done, including stronger labor protections, access to food stamp benefits and cash assistance for elderly and vulnerable immigrants, and allowing noncitizens to vote in local elections. Rejecting the tradition of inclusion and fairness in immigration could have negative consequences for the country.
#Immigration #Economy #AntiimmigrantSentiment #UndocumentedImmigrants #LaborProtections #Entrepreneurs #Innovation #California
https://www.latimes.com/opinion/story/2024-04-09/immigration-trump-biden-economy
Los Angeles Times /
npub1ka…ct50x
2024-04-09 10:53:51
Author Public Key
npub1kat3x50s05kl9v0lqxq5qsl0znf0eu2rwyeq4xyplj80ga740k9q9ct50xPublished at
2024-04-09 10:53:51Event JSON
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"content": "Opinion: Anti-immigrant vitriol isn't just bigotry. It also hugely misunderstands our economy\n==========\n\nConservative leaders have used pressures at the U.S.-Mexico border to vilify immigrants and refugees. However, this anti-immigrant sentiment misunderstands the realities of the economy. Immigrants, including a large undocumented population, make significant contributions to the economy, paying taxes and contributing to spending power. Immigrants are also overrepresented in high-risk jobs and are twice as likely as citizens to work for hourly compensation below the prevailing 'living wage.' Immigrant entrepreneurs and investors drive much of the country's innovation, with immigrants launching more than half of America's startup companies valued at $1 billion or more. California has led in policies that address the needs and potential of noncitizens, providing benefits such as driver's licenses, college scholarships, low-income tax credits, direct cash aid during the pandemic, and Medi-Cal health coverage. However, more can be done, including stronger labor protections, access to food stamp benefits and cash assistance for elderly and vulnerable immigrants, and allowing noncitizens to vote in local elections. Rejecting the tradition of inclusion and fairness in immigration could have negative consequences for the country.\n\n#Immigration #Economy #AntiimmigrantSentiment #UndocumentedImmigrants #LaborProtections #Entrepreneurs #Innovation #California\n\nhttps://www.latimes.com/opinion/story/2024-04-09/immigration-trump-biden-economy",
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