Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility

Poorest Americans Dealt Biggest Blow Under Senate Republican Tax Package

16 hours ago

Trump Vowed to Dismantle MS-13. His Deal With Bukele Threatens That Effort.

20 hours ago

Ukraine Voices Concern as US Halts Some Missile Shipments

20 hours ago

Poll: Most Americans Say National Divide, Political Violence Threaten Democracy

21 hours ago

Paramount Settles With Trump Over ‘60 Minutes’ Interview for $16 Million

21 hours ago

Republicans Tee up House Vote on Trump Bill, Outcome Uncertain

21 hours ago

What’s Next for Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs After His Sex Trafficking Trial?

21 hours ago

Dalai Lama Says He Will Be Reincarnated, Trust Will Identify Successor

21 hours ago
Illegal Immigrants Will Ruin America. But Only if We Boot Them Out.
Darius-Assemi
By Darius Assemi
Published 8 years ago on
June 6, 2017

Share

By Darius Assemi
As originally appeared in The Fresno Bee
April 28, 2017
Would it surprise you to learn that illegal immigrants have the potential to ruin our country – if they leave?
In fact, mass deportation would abruptly collapse our agriculture, construction and hospitality industries leading to a downward spiral of our economy.
Our government’s failure to address the needs of our economy through legal immigration has put us in this precarious situation. The refusal to create legal pathways to citizenship is driven primarily by fear, emotional reaction and misinformation.
So how do we address our immigration problems? I will give you the answer, but first I’d like to share a few facts about illegal immigrants.
America has 11.5 million illegal immigrants, or 3.5% of our population. The Migration Policy Institute has estimated that 2.5 million live in California, which, at 6.3% of the state’s population, is the highest percentage of illegal immigrants in the country.
A large part of our state’s economy is generated through agriculture, construction and tourism – industries that rely heavily on the labor of unauthorized workers. Those who point to the economic burden brought on by illegal immigrants tend to overlook the daily costs, such as higher prices for homes, groceries and basic services, that each of us would incur without their everyday contributions.
As an example of the economic impact of cracking down on illegal immigration in California, we need look no further than the neighboring state of Arizona. The legislative drive to aggressively target illegal immigrants in Arizona in recent years – including E-Verify laws and the controversial SB 1070, which allows profiling of those who raise “reasonable suspicion” – resulted in a 40% decline in undocumented workers within five years of implementation.
Some of these programs are especially difficult and expensive to implement, placing unnecessary burdens on small business owners. Moody’s Analytics found that despite the new openings in the job market, less than 10% of jobs formerly held by illegal immigrants were filled by American workers. Likewise, Moody’s reports that the legislation has not altered the unemployment issues in Arizona; the overall rate remains higher than those of its neighbors.
Some commentators tend to paint illegal immigrants as “takers”– people who come to our country looking for taxpayer-funded social benefits. I believe the opposite is true; the vast majority of unauthorized workers come here looking for work, not handouts.
It is estimated by the Institute on Taxation & Economic Policy that illegal immigrants pay approximately $11 billion in taxes. These taxes directly fund programs like Social Security. Since many of these workers must use fabricated or illegally-purchased Social Security numbers to qualify for work, they will never be able to collect these benefits.
Are most illegal immigrants in this country criminals? In reality, most illegal immigrants avoid criminal activity because they fear deportation. Nationwide, illegal immigrants make up less than 5% of the prison population, and of those 5%, many were incarcerated due to immigration violations rather than violent crimes.
By creating a pathway to citizenship, we would actually be able to combat crime more effectively by focusing our law enforcement resources on targeting dangerous, violent criminals rather than undocumented families.
We cannot afford for our country to follow the path of countries like Japan and Germany, which suffer from stagnation and population decline. Immigration drives the growth of our working-age population as our native-born population is aging and shrinking due to declining birth rates. As a result, we are reliant on immigration to support our entitlement programs; without immigrants, the already murky future of Social Security and Medicare would be much bleaker.
It is important to note, that the net migration from Mexico to the U.S. has declined in recent years, meaning more people are returning to Mexico than coming to our country.
What’s the solution?
We must protect our borders.
But we also have to recognize that building President Trump’s $25 billion wall would only partially stop the illegal flow of goods and people. Increasing the use of drones, satellites and other surveillance methods should be considered if we are to get serious about illegal crossings. We need to humanely address those who are currently here illegally, while modifying our immigration system to better benefit our economic needs.
We must allow illegal immigrants the chance to move out of the shadows.
If apprehended, current law requires deportation of those here illegally and denies them re-entry for 10 years. Deport those who have violent criminal histories, and allow those who remain to become citizens.
Our immigration program must be updated to reflect the needs of our country.
The United States is home to 5% of the world’s population, yet is responsible for 25% of the global economy. To maintain this edge for decades to come, we must regularly evaluate our needs, determine if our workforce needs investors, manual laborers, or innovators, and adjust our immigration policy accordingly. We must also team up with Canada and Mexico to maintain our economic force against the rising powers across the Pacific, noting that Mexico is California’s largest trading partner.
It is clear to me that our immigration system is broken. Homeland Security Secretary John F. Kelly recently said, “If lawmakers do not like the laws that we enforce, that we are charged to enforce, that we are sworn to enforce, then they should have the courage and the skill to change those laws. Otherwise, they should shut up and support the men and women on the front lines.”
It is necessary that our country’s leaders step over the division of party lines and work together to bring a solution that is in the best interest of our country and the people who desire to contribute to the U.S.
As an immigrant from Iran, I had firsthand experience navigating the immigration system nearly 40 years ago with my family. The laborious process was one that I was happy to undertake to become a proud U.S. citizen. I cherish this country and community along with all that it has afforded my family.
For my family, and for much of the world, America represents opportunity, hope and equality. These are the values that continue to attract the world’s best minds. These are the values that have allowed our relatively young country to become one of the most powerful and desirable to live in. Ronald Reagan understood this when he said, “In America our origins matter less than our destination, and that is what democracy is all about.”
Unfortunately, I am frequently reminded that if we were attempting to immigrate to America today, it would be far more challenging for my family and me to pursue a path to citizenship – especially considering our country of origin.
Ultimately, we will be judged as a society not on how we have treated the powerful and privileged, but the poor and the hopeless. Our visions of success and happiness should coexist with the values of human dignity, compassion and justice.
God has blessed this country with abundance and security. It would be a shame to bar from our shores those with the means and brain power to stimulate our economy, create jobs and add to our competitive edge in the global market. In a world where the movement of goods, money and information is fluid, the movement and migration of people is inevitable.
Many members of Congress recognize that bringing 11.5 million people out of the shadows of unlawfulness is not only good for our economy, it’s also good for our souls. We should support their efforts to fix this broken system.

DON'T MISS

What Are Fresno Real Estate Experts Predicting for 2025 and Beyond?

DON'T MISS

First California EV Mandates Hit Automakers This Year. Most Are Not Even Close

DON'T MISS

House Republicans Say They Expect to Vote Tonight on Trump’s Tax-Cut Bill

DON'T MISS

San Luis Obispo’s Madre Fire Grows to 8,300 Acres, Prompts Evacuations

DON'T MISS

SLO Deputies Fatally Shoot Man in Los Osos Weeks After US Marshal Impersonation Arrest

DON'T MISS

Madera County Deputy Injured, Wanted Felon Arrested After Violent Struggle

DON'T MISS

San Luis Obispo County Wildfire Burns More Than 3,000 Acres. No Containment Yet

DON'T MISS

Wired Wednesday: Why Is State Lawmaker Taking Aim at Rooftop Solar?

DON'T MISS

Two Visalia Men Sentenced in 2021 Motel Killing

DON'T MISS

Ex-Jan. 6 Defendant Gets Life in Prison for Plot to Kill FBI Agents

DON'T MISS

Del Monte Files for Bankruptcy. Gets Nearly $1B to Keep Producing Through Process

DON'T MISS

Who is Running for Fresno Area Offices in 2026? An Updated Look

UP NEXT

From Victims to Perpetrators: Israeli Soldiers’ Nazi Comparisons and the Unfolding War Crimes in Gaza

UP NEXT

Dear Mayor and City Council, Fresno’s Housing Bottlenecks Are a Modern Form of Redlining

UP NEXT

Trump Pulls Back 150 Guard Troops From Federal Duties in California

UP NEXT

California Republicans Send Message to Trump: Deport Criminals, Not Our Vital Workers

UP NEXT

Homeland Security Secretary Noem Says CNN May Be Prosecuted Over Report on Migration App

UP NEXT

A Path Forward on Immigration Reform That Strengthens America

UP NEXT

Trump Administration Sues Los Angeles Over Immigration Enforcement

UP NEXT

Catholic Bishops Try to Rally Opposition to Trump’s Immigration Agenda

UP NEXT

Israel Faces Genocide Accusations Amid Gaza Food Aid Killings

UP NEXT

CA’s Population Shrank in Trump’s First Immigration Crackdown. It Could Happen Again

Madera County Deputy Injured, Wanted Felon Arrested After Violent Struggle

14 hours ago

San Luis Obispo County Wildfire Burns More Than 3,000 Acres. No Containment Yet

14 hours ago

Wired Wednesday: Why Is State Lawmaker Taking Aim at Rooftop Solar?

14 hours ago

Two Visalia Men Sentenced in 2021 Motel Killing

15 hours ago

Ex-Jan. 6 Defendant Gets Life in Prison for Plot to Kill FBI Agents

15 hours ago

Del Monte Files for Bankruptcy. Gets Nearly $1B to Keep Producing Through Process

16 hours ago

Who is Running for Fresno Area Offices in 2026? An Updated Look

16 hours ago

CIA Review Finds Flaws but Does Not Dispute Finding Putin Sought to Sway 2016 Vote to Trump

16 hours ago

Poorest Americans Dealt Biggest Blow Under Senate Republican Tax Package

16 hours ago

Check Out Newest Downtown Mural. It’s a Spectacular Tribute to Fresno Artisans

17 hours ago

House Republicans Say They Expect to Vote Tonight on Trump’s Tax-Cut Bill

WASHINGTON – Republicans in the House of Representatives on Wednesday struggled to pass President Donald Trump’s massive tax-cut...

13 hours ago

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson speaks to the press, as Republican lawmakers struggle to pass U.S. President Donald Trump's sweeping spending and tax bill, on Capitol Hill, in Washington, D.C., U.S., July 2, 2025. (Reuters/Annabelle Gordon)
13 hours ago

House Republicans Say They Expect to Vote Tonight on Trump’s Tax-Cut Bill

The Madre Fire in San Luis Obispo County has rapidly expanded to 8,396 acres with no containment, prompting evacuation orders and warnings near New Cuyama. (CalFire)
13 hours ago

San Luis Obispo’s Madre Fire Grows to 8,300 Acres, Prompts Evacuations

Andrew Biscay, 40, was arrested Friday, June 20, 2025, after deputies found him with a fake U.S. Marshal’s badge, homemade firearm, and law enforcement-style gear during a warrant arrest. (Madera County SO)
14 hours ago

SLO Deputies Fatally Shoot Man in Los Osos Weeks After US Marshal Impersonation Arrest

On Tuesday, July 1, 2025, a Madera County sheriff’s deputy was injured while trying to arrest a wanted felon, Felix Adrian Nucamendi Carrasco, 40, who later fled and was captured near Raymond Road. (Madera County SO)
14 hours ago

Madera County Deputy Injured, Wanted Felon Arrested After Violent Struggle

A wildfire dubbed the Madre Fire has burned over 3,300 acres near New Cuyama with 0% containment, officials said Wednesday, July 2, 2025. (CalFire)
14 hours ago

San Luis Obispo County Wildfire Burns More Than 3,000 Acres. No Containment Yet

14 hours ago

Wired Wednesday: Why Is State Lawmaker Taking Aim at Rooftop Solar?

Jose Luna (left), 33, and Ralph Grajeda, 45, both of Visalia, have been sentenced for their roles in the 2020 shotgun killing of Robert Soto at a local motel. (Tulare County DA)
15 hours ago

Two Visalia Men Sentenced in 2021 Motel Killing

A U.S. Justice Department logo or seal showing Justice Department headquarters, known as "Main Justice," is seen behind the podium in the Department's headquarters briefing room before a news conference with the Attorney General in Washington, January 24, 2023. (Reuters File)
15 hours ago

Ex-Jan. 6 Defendant Gets Life in Prison for Plot to Kill FBI Agents

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend