I Individuals and Societies: Essay The impact of Mexican migration to the United States? Contrary to popular belief within the United States, I am of the opinion that Mexican migration has an overall positive impact on the United States; through several ~cts ranging from aiding diversity at a social everyday level to contributing to the economy. This essay will be systematically analyzing the social and economic impression made by Mexican immigrants. / Being built upon a clash of cultures, the United States has been known for its diverse crowd, an inbuilt nature of freedom, and attainable success by people from apy1)ackground. However, recently the United States has narrowed the margin for legal immigration, thus becoming of a population more innate to separating themselves from other cultures. Racism being still prevalent today within the United States, with the current government opposing immigration from Mexico, leads to the idea that mass immigration can only result in cultural homogenisation, believing that American culture is un 'er a~ The social changes within the United States brought by immigrants can ultimately only be described as positive. According to The New York Times, "In the regions where immigrants have se~led in the past two decacte( crime has gone down, cities have grown, poor urban neiqhborhoods have been rebuit( and small towns that were once on life support are . springing back." In rural counties in which an influx of immigration occurred from the 1980-1990s have experienced positive change. Reportedly, crime rates dropped in places of heightened immigration compared to counties with 10we~migration. Immigration has also been associated with descending homicide rates. An example of positive socio-economie change would be Hazleton in Pennsylvania. Formerly known for a population with strong anti-immigration views has changed completely, endorsing Latinos.ias they have helped reverse the local economic decline. With an explosion of imrrii~nts since 2000, Hazleton went from a 4% Latino community to 40%, with Latino business' thriving throughout, providing jOby/o'rlocals. Latinos are seen to be the driving force of the of Hazleton's growing economy. The economic growth brought by Mexicans is not only occurring at a local level. Nationally, as published by Business Insider in 2~ Mexican immigrants of all generations contribute about 8% of the total United States GOP. Mexicans mainly work in the agriculture, construction and food serviçe sectors, contributin~ 18%, 13.4%, 11.7%, respectively in terms of GOP of each sector. ../ .. . The gtowth of the United States economy influenced by Mexican immigrants is a perfect example of "immigration surplus", a phenomenon to describe the surge in total productive capacity of the host country thus raising the GOP when immigration rises. Mexican immigrants flow into work and employment into industries where there is a rela!,jYe need for such workers. . V
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Another economic benefit of Mexican immigrants is their versatility. Research by the National Bureau of Economic Research in the United States shows that immig!?nfs are more responsive to change than natives, able to relocate employment quicker. This leaves the United States labor market more efficient. The paper found that from 2006 to 4010 in places affected by the Great Recession by approximately 10%, the low skilled Mexicán immigrant population did not decline at all whereas the high skilled native population decline by 5.3%. This adaptability demo~tes economic benefit improving labor market in ways high skilled natives could not. To conclude the Mexicans do not deserve the bad reputation they receive for their migration. They are regarded as a burden to Am~a ever since the Great Depression, starting with the collapse of the stock market in 1929VHaving been used as scapegoats, they were blamed for taking American jobs which were lacking at tbE(time, disease, crime and delinquency which resulted in the largest deportation in UMed States history in 1930. Ever since Mexicans were not as welcome to immigrate, resulting in an unjust infamous regard of their culture and race by the American people.
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BIBLIOGRAPHY Mining Town." CNN I Money, CNN, 2 Sept. 2016, money.cnn.com/20 16/09/02/news/economy/hazleton-pa-latino- immigrant/index.hín?l.
Blanco, Octavio. "How Latinos Are Saving This Former Pennsylvania
Cadena, Brian C, and Brian K Kovak. "Immigrants Equilibrate Local Labor Markets: Evidence from the Great Recession." NBER, National Bureau of Economic Research, Apr. 2015, www.nber.org/papers/wI9272. Kapur, Saranya. "Low-Skilled Mexican Immigrants Are Making The US Labor Market More Efficient." Business Insider, Business Insider, 5 Nov. 2013, www.businessinsider.com/how-mexican-immigrants-make-the-us-labor-market-more-efficient- 2013-Il ?IR=T
MacDonald, John M., and Robert J. Sampson. "Don't Shut the Golden Door." The New York Times, The New York Times, 19 June 2011, www.nytimes.com/20 I 2/06/20/opinionlthe-beneficial-impact-of-immigrants.html. Orrenius, Pia. "Benefits of Immigration Outweigh the Costs." Bush Center, George W. Bush Institute, 2016, www.bushcenter.org/catalyst/north-american-centurv/benefits-of-immigration-outweigh-costs.html. Quince, Annabelle, and Keri Phillips. "How Mexican Immigr~elpedMake America Great." ABC Radio National, ABC, 29 Mar. 2016, www.abc.net.aulradionational/programs/rearvisionlhow-mexican-immigration-helped-make-america-great/72 69356.
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