Refugees Aren’t a Solution

The Quote Below—More Misinformation from the Media

“The secret is out: Columbus, Ohio, is an incredible place to live.

“Earlier this year, Columbus was named the fastest growing metro area in the country. And experts say that will not slow down any time soon.

“This comes with its benefits: We are in an economic and cultural boom. It also comes with its challenges. More people need more homes, more transportation, more child care, more health care and more teachers. Businesses tell us every day that they need more people in the labor force.

“As two proud leaders of Columbus amid this historic moment for our city, we see a clear solution: We need to continue welcoming refugees. Our American-born labor force is aging, and Ohioans are having fewer children. Welcoming refugees is not just the right thing to do, it also makes economic sense.

“Refugees are already sustaining and strengthening our economy. According to 2022 data from the American Immigration Council, 97 percent of refugees in Ohio are employed. They pay $418.4 million in annual taxes and have $1.4 billion in spending power.

“When refugees come here after fleeing war and persecution, they demonstrate a determination and grit many Ohioans would recognize in themselves. And in doing so, they become our colleagues, customers, business partners and neighbors. . . .

“That’s why we are supporting a bipartisan letter from state and local elected leaders from all over Ohio ‒ and all over the country ‒ to President Joe Biden calling on him to invest in a robust, well-funded and sustainable federal system to welcome people seeking safety and help them rebuild their lives here. . . .”

“It’s time to let the world know that Ohio’s welcome sign is on. As Columbus, OH, Welcomes an Economic Boom, We Need to Continue to welcome Refugees, Andrew Ginter, USA Today. 9/4/24 [Link]

Fact Check of Above Quote: Andrew Ginther is the CEO of the Columbus Chamber of Commerce, and like many in that organization he seems partial to the cheap labor provided by mass immigration. Unfortunately, cheap labor is not so cheap for the rest of society, particularly for low-income Americans who have to compete with immigrants for low-wage jobs. Also, refugees in particular are a burden on public services. One reason is that, unlike other immigrants, they can apply for all welfare programs as soon as they arrive. Typically, refugees today are people with less education than the American average. This means that they will disproportionally qualify for welfare.

Ginter speaks of the taxes paid by refugees, but this offers no advantage to our society unless the dollars they pay in taxes exceed the dollars they receive in benefits. And in fact, their costs exceed what they contribute. During their lifetimes, adult refugees will receive $60,000 more in benefits than they will pay in taxes. This amounts to a tax-paid subsidy to private business. It gives the immigrant workers enough to live on, thereby relieving the companies from the need to pay them adequate wages. This system acts to transfer wealth from the poor to the rich.

Another group of well-heeled profiteers are the non governmental organizations (NGOS) that receive hefty federal subsidies to settle refugees in American communities. After they dump them, the communities are left to pick up the tab for social services for the newcomers.

Ginter is wrong when he claims that refugees and other immigrants will significantly lower our average age, and boost the size of our workforce. The reality is that the age of immigrants is increasing while their birthrates are falling.

A big problem is that Ginter doesn’t acknowledge the cultural costs of mass immigration—which isn’t surprising given that for many Chamber types the financial bottom line is all that matters. Currently, Springfield, Ohio, is being “enriched” by large numbers of Haitians who claim to be asylum seekers (a category similar to refugees). The arrival of the Haitians has placed considerable stress on the community.

Do Ginter and his ilk care about any of these problems? They’re probably too busy counting their profits to notice.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here