Perspectives on Immigration

Immigration Reform as Economic Stimulus

by Walter A. Ewing, Ph.D.

September 1, 2009

Washington D.C. - In IPC's latest Perspectives on Immigration, Senior Researcher Walter Ewing argues that even as the U.S. economy begins a tenuous recovery, it is critical that policymakers look beyond short-term stimulus plans to the long-term economic revitalization of our nation. An integral part of this economic revival is boosting the consumer purchasing power of the American public and ending costly and ineffective approaches to immigration. Ewing argues that a "deportation-only" strategy, which would cost American taxpayers at least $94 billion dollars, is ill-conceived while a plan that provides unauthorized immigrants an opportunity to earn legal status would add billions of dollars to the U.S. economy. An earned-legalization program would ensure that all workers are paying into the tax system and allow newly legalized immigrants to earn higher wages and pay more in taxes, spend more in U.S. businesses, and invest more in U.S. communities.

The Immigration Policy Center's Perspectives on Immigration are thoughtful narrative pieces written by leading academics and researchers who bring a wide range of multi-disciplinary knowledge to the issue of immigration policy.

Immigration Reform as Economic Stimulus (September 1, 2009)