Patel (FGCU): Another View on Immigration

18. February 2010 by student.

When my Social Problems class discussed the immigration problem in Andosciaville we covered most of the basic points. For example, immigrants are not always taking jobs from American citizens, but occupying the jobs citizens choose not to perform. On the other hand, allowing just anyone into the country will cause the U.S. to become a magnet for the world’s poor.
Something we did not touch on was the fact that immigrants will help supply workers to fill the void caused by the baby boomers retiring. In 2011 the first baby boomers will turn 65 and the number of retired Americans will grow drastically till about 2029. The economic and other burdens throughout these years will fall on the “baby-bust generation,” consisting of people born between 1965 and 1976. With the higher number of baby boomers occupying political positions, the baby-bust generation may be forced to pay higher income, healthcare, and Social Security taxes.
In this situation increasing immigration will be beneficial, because the immigrant workers can replace some of the retired baby boomers. They will pay taxes just as American citizens and this will help secure the retirees. Also with increased immigration, more businesses will open and create job opportunities, thus circulating money in our economy. I am not saying I believe this solution will solve the problem our nation is facing, but I do think it is an option worth trying.

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