The Quote Below—More Misinformation from the Media
Increased Tax Contributions
“Immigrants contribute significantly to the tax revenue of the host country. As they work, they pay taxes on their income, purchases, and property, helping to fund public services, infrastructure development, and social programs. The additional tax contributions from immigrants bolster the economy and enable governments to invest in education, healthcare, and other essential services. These contributions play a vital role in balancing public finances and supporting the overall welfare of the population.
Strengthened Social Programs
“Immigration often leads to the expansion and strengthening of social programs. The influx of immigrants increases the size of the working-age population, thereby expanding the contributor base for social programs such as healthcare, unemployment benefits, and welfare. As more immigrants contribute to these programs, they help alleviate the burden on the native-born population and ensure the sustainability and effectiveness of social safety nets. The increased diversity in funding helps create a more inclusive and comprehensive social support system.
Bringing Different Cultures Together
“Immigration is a powerful force in bringing different cultures together, fostering understanding, appreciation, and cultural exchange. The coexistence of diverse cultures within a society strengthens social cohesion and harmony. People have the opportunity to celebrate and learn about traditions, festivals, and practices from around the world, breaking down barriers and building bridges of friendship and unity. This multicultural environment promotes a sense of belonging and creates a rich tapestry of traditions, customs, and lifestyles. . . .” – What Are the Benefits of Immigration in the U.S., Immigrant Magazine, 2/13/24 [Link]
Fact Check of Above Quote: This article from Immigrant Magazine displays a rich diversity of worn cliches, platitudes, and pabulum about immigration. Let’s start from the top to correct this narrative.
Skilled immigrants over their lifetimes do pay more in taxes than they receive in benefits, but their contribution is almost entirely offset by lower-skilled immigrants who get more in benefits than the taxes they pay. The overall benefit is insubstantial and provides no ‘vital role in balancing public finances.’
Immigration does not strengthen social programs because it puts a disproportionate burden on them. Immigrant households are significantly more likely to receive welfare than native households. This means that they are receiving support which would otherwise be available for poor native-born Americans. Immigrants generally don’t get welfare because they are lazy. They get it because their often-low salaries make them eligible, and they need the assistance to get by. Companies seek to enhance their profits from the cheap labor provided by immigrants. Thus, the welfare immigrants receive is a tax-paid subsidy to business. Overall, because of wage suppression, immigration acts to transfer wealth from the poor to the rich.
Mass immigration isn’t promoting respect for America’s traditional culture. Without that unity it provides, our growing diversity will grow ever more divisive. It is childishly naïve to think that people of vastly different backgrounds will automatically embrace one another. Given human nature, understanding among people takes a great deal of time and patience. Mass immigration simply overwhelms the slow process necessary for assimilation.
The last thing that multiculturalism promotes is “a sense of belonging.” Harvard sociologist Robert Putnam found through extensive research in American communities that increasing diversity diminishes the common bonds of society. People in diverse settings simply gravitate toward their own interests.
The promoters of mass immigration want reality to conform their dream-world ideology. It never will.