Immigrants & the economy: Lecture Notes Outline



Immigration & the Economy & Govt. Budgets: Group Discussion Issues to consider:

1. Overview ala Portes & Rumbaut (Ch. 4)

A. What’s the general picture like for immigrants in the US economy – education levels, occupations (professional, entrepreneurial, etc.), income, poverty level, etc.

B. What are the significant Nationality differences or patterns in that data? Note diversity!

o What accounts for some of this? Immigration Visa policy? Geography?

C. How do we explain varying outcomes for different immigrant groups in US economy:

o Individual (human capital), Cultural explanations?

o Modes of Incorporations / Context of Reception: Govt. policy, Labor Market conditions, Ethnic Community (Social Capital)

2. What is the experience of Guatemalans in San Francisco? What are key challenges they face re: housing, developers & displacement, jobs, & eventually rising deportations? What sorts of jobs do they find, and what is SF post-industrial economy? What class backgrounds were they? How welcoming is SF to Central American Immigrants ? What paradox / contradiction do they face in local politics? In what sorts of organizations (economic & other) do Guate. Immigrants form or play strong roles? Why are they a “fragmented community”? How do well Guate. Immigrants in SF fit or not P&R’s data & explanations (human capital, social capital, govt. policy, labor mkt), or not? (Jonas and Rodriguez, Ch. 5)

3. What is the impact of immigrants on government budgets (State, Local, Federal), esp. undocumented / illegal immigrants?

What is their impact on Social Security, esp. unauthorized immigrants, & Medicare? What accounts for this? Work rate? Age? Benefits access or lack of? (Goss et al. web rdg)

What are 3 main services state & local govts. provide for immigrants (& which is largest), what services are unauthorized immigrants NOT eligible for? What taxes do immigrants pay? How does service cost compare to tax revenue? (Cong. Budget Office web rdg.)

What is impact of unauthorized immigrants on Maryland state budget – particularly if US citizen children are excluded? (Maryland report web rdg.)

What is the overall effect of unauthorized immigrants on govt budgets combined (Fed., state., local)?

4. What is the overall effect of immigrants on the US economy, & especially on the labor market (complement natives or compete) ? How does that change during recession vs. normal economy (Maryland report web rdg.)

5. What has been the role of immigration in the growth of the US & Maryland labor force, and the US economy? (Maryland report web rdg.)

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