Introduction
Illegal immigrants are people who have moved to another country without the legal arrangements. Some move to another country as a result of war or calamities in own country. Others become illegal immigrants as victims of human trafficking while others do so for economic reasons such as better employment and commerce.
Some work and send money to relatives in the country of origin while others join family living in the country of destination though without proper documentation. Other illegal immigrants have criminal records and choose to escape to another country (Bryany, 2006, p. 10).
The illegal immigrants find a new life and find means of serving in the new destination, accordingly the country of destination realize some changes. This paper will highlight the impacts of illegal immigration on the country of destination. It will also give recommendations to problems that are created by illegal immigrants.
Impact of illegal immigration on the country of destination
Borgas (2006) points out that most immigrants target the industrialized countries due to the economic value associated with such countries (p. 2). In line with Waldo (2006) the immigrants whether legal or illegal tend to stay together and prefer to live in cities which are perceived to pay well.
On the other hand, business entrepreneurs move their companies to the areas where they inhabit. They get cheap labor and make more profits. Employers use the services of the unskilled illegal immigrants and pay them much less than the skilled citizens who demand high wages (Para 2). Borgas (2006) also noted that the decline in wages cause citizens to move to other cities to search for a better paying job (p. 7).
Illegal immigration causes competition among the low income earners in a country of destination. In his article, Waldo (2006) reveals that the illegal immigrants benefit from education and health institutions in the United States. These institutions are funded by tax payer’s money. They also compete for the same jobs with the local habitats. Employers employ these illegal immigrants for lower wages than the lowest wages of the citizens of their country of their destination (Para 1).
Waldo (2006) disagree that illegal immigrants contribute to the economy of the country of destination. Even though these illegal immigrants are employed in less prestigious and neglected jobs, they end up working and earning more than the native poor families. From these earnings, they can be able to buy food and pay for housing. For that reason, the land lords increase housing rent making it harder for the local inhabitants to afford good housing in their home country (Para 2).
In the Unites States citizens of lows status fall victim of victims of stolen identities. According to Waldo (2006) stolen documents such as “security cards, birth certificates, baptismal certificates and any documentation that can be used for identification is used, causing great hardship to the person whose identity is used” (Para 5).
Public schools become overcrowded as a result of absorbing illegal immigrants as Waldo (2006) discusses. Overcrowding of students in public schools perform poorly in their academics. Therefore, compromising on the quality of education (Para 4).
Illegal immigrants are likely to engage in crime to provide for their basic necessities. Redemske (2007) observes that the illegal immigrants lack skills and the papers to earn them a well paying job. In order to overcome unemployment, some end up unlawfully buying forged documents for to be recognized as legal immigrants.
They may also engage in prostitution and illegitimate trade to get money (Para 3). Immigrants who pose as gangs bring insecurity to citizens of the country of destination. Because they must provide for their families they shift from one crime to another.
Illegal immigrants might bring the risk of communicable diseases to the country of destination. It is possible that the illegal immigrants were not tested nor vaccinated while crossing the border. Diseases like cholera and small pox can be introduced in the country of destination without detection and lead to loss of lives. (Redemske 2007, Para 5)
Illegal immigrants have a financial implication on the host country. As indicated by a state auditor in Mississippi named Bryany (2006), the illegal immigrants benefit from programs that the government offers in the health sector, social security and education system.
Because some are employed, using forged documents, they contribute their taxes in the state. On the other hand, the education institutes are obligated to provide language programs that would assist non-native speakers improve their language skills. Similarly, the illegal immigrants are entitles to free medical attention (p. 5)
The United States courts have ruled in favored of the illegal immigrants into programs enjoyed by the citizens. Bryany (2006) mentioned that the education system gives social security numbers to students who do not have and are allowed to benefit from programs such as the school feeding plan.
Students cannot be denied access to education because of the status of their immigration. Any notion that would cause discrimination against students is highly discouraged. For instance, documentation of illegal immigrants in schools is not allowed, it is believed that such a step would motivate the expulsion of students without legal documents and therefore denying them an opportunity to get education. These costs are extended to the tax payers of the country of destination (p. 6).
Bryany (2006) says that the cost of health in the local clinics have increased as a result of the illegal immigrants. The immigrants receive medical care and fail to meet the cost of medical services. The local health clinics raise their cost of services and medicines so that they can recover the unpaid bills. Furthermore the state is also involved in funding the health clinics and other medical learning institutions where the immigrants receive health services (p. 8).
Recommendation
The European Neighborhood and Partnership Instrument ENPI (2008) argue that both the country of origin and the country of destination must work hand in hand to prevent illegal immigration. The country of origin looses skillful people and should put measures to restrict illegal immigration. The neighboring countries must cooperate in terms of the border movement and policies concerning migration (p. 1).
The ENPI (2008) views the use of biometrics as a solution to illegal immigration. States have been reluctant to embrace the use of biometrics due to the high cost, however, the cost has reduced and it can be effective in eradicating forgery and maintaining high security standards (p. 2).
Conclusion
The illegal immigrants give cheap labor to the country of destination however, they cause changes in the labor market where the natives are paid little yet they are skilled. They have a financial obligation where they are entitled to medical services, school program and social security.
The cost of the services is met by the tax payer’s money. Other impacts are spread of disease and insecurity due to criminal activities. Therefore policies must be enacted so that the citizens of the country of destination do not suffer as a result of illegal immigration.
Reference List
Borgas, G. J. (2006). The Impact of immigration on the labor market. Web.
Bryany, P. (2006). The impact of illegal immigration on Mississippi: cost and Population Trends. Web.
The ENPI Special. (2008). Fighting illegal immigrants. No.6. Web.
Redemske, P. (2007). Does illegal immigration help or harm the country of destination? Web.
Waldo, B. (2006). The Negative effect of rampant illegal immigration into the United States. Web.