DREAM Act Could Add $329 Billion To U.S. Economy

[trailmonkee]

Source: think progress

The DREAM Act was first introduced as a bipartisan measure in 2001, but has languished in Congress ever since. Republicans have blocked the bill, which would help young undocumented immigrants who came to the U.S. as children gain citizenship. President Obama says he supports the policy and issued a directive in June to help protect DREAMers from deportation by giving those who qualify temporary legal status.

But if Congress passed the DREAM Act and granted legal status to eligible undocumented immigrants who came to the U.S. as children, it would add an additional $329 billion to the U.S. economy and 1.4 million more jobs by 2030, according to a new report from the Center for American Progress and the Partnership for a New American Economy. Enacting the DREAM Act would boost the economy first by improving the education and job opportunities for young undocumented immigrants in the U.S. A legal status and education contribute to higher earnings:



Read more: http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2012/10/01/932311/economic-benefits-dream-act/

[eggplant]

1. This is great, but an impact of $150k/person is surprising. n/t

[BlueStreak]

2. It probably would help tax revenues too

I bet there are quite a few who are participating in the underground economy because they can't risk being identified and deported. If the Dream Act reduces those fears, it stands to reason many of those folks will start reporting their income and paying taxes.

[pampango]

3. State-by-state breakdown of DREAM Act (from Center for American Progress) - California then Texas

http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/immigration/news/2012/10/01/39586/infographic-the-12-states-with-the-greatest-economic-impact-from-passing-the-dream-act/

Sad that 3 of the top 4 states that would potentially benefit the most from the DREAM Act are controlled by republican right-wingers who will fight such legislation the hardest.

[goclark]

4. thanks! k and recommend

[WilmywoodNCparalegal]

5. I'm all for the DREAM Act BUT...

it currently takes family-sponsored immigrants up to 14 years to get a green card to the U.S. It currently takes employment-sponsored immigrants - who may already be in the U.S. in a non-immigrant visa status such as the O, L, E, H, P, etc. - over 6-7 years to get a green card.

This is after paying thousands of dollars in filing fees and countless more in legal fees, not to mention dealing with the bureaucracy of form after form after form and the documentation requirements, certified translations, degree evaluations and the like, in addition to background checks, police clearances, etc. at the person's expense.

Before we think about the DREAM Act, we must do something to alleviate the bureaucracy and waiting times for those who follow the laws on the books and go through all the hoops in order to be eligible for a green card and - later, perhaps - U.S. naturalization. Most of the employer-sponsored beneficiaries are already living and working in the U.S., paying taxes, buying homes, sending their kids to school, etc. These people generally have higher incomes than most as most of these beneficiaries tend to work in professions that are highly paid.

I'm not saying the DREAM Act isn't good or solid - which it is. I'm saying that we need to fix the system for those who are following the numerous rules and stand in line waiting for their turn.

[AlphaCentauri]

6. wonder what would be the economic impac of a full amnesty