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Larson

Illegal Immigration and The U.S. Economy: A Research Proposal

Shea Larson
English 102
Dr. Olson
4 August 2014

Larson

Shea Larson
English 102
Dr. Olson
4 August 2014
Illegal Immigration and the U.S. Economy
During the last ten years it is estimated that the U.S. population of illegal immigrants has
risen from five million, to 12 million (Economic par.1). The numbers of illegal immigrants is
rising exponentially mostly due to economic unrest and overall poverty in the immigrants home
countries. When I started to research I found that the illegal immigrant population is growing so
much they are beginning to move into non-traditional areas like the Midwest and South. My
research question will focus on: primarily, if this influx of illegal immigrants coming to the
United States is helping, or hurting our economy? The research and support I will use in my
paper will be from different sources, different times frames, and from people of different back
rounds in order to get the most accurate consensus one can come too.
Through my research I hope to reach the people around me with the influx of importance
and information this issue truly has. I hope my paper will be able to benefit its readers who have
also asked questions and been confused about the truth regarding illegal immigration and the
U.S. economy. I decided to focus on the economic part of the issue because I feel it is the least
understood among Americans. My family and I have always had disagreements about illegal
immigration and how it is shaping our country. I hope to put these arguments to rest with the
right information. Personally, my dad and mom have always disagreed about whether illegal
immigrants were giving us help or harming us. I hope that they will read my paper and take my
research seriously so they can form their opinions with the accurate information.

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Review of Sources
All of my sources have come from various online data bases mostly found through the
Rio Salado online library. Since this issue has been affecting the United States for so long I
thought it was important to see how it has changed over time and what Americans and the
government have done to be proactive. Most of the journals and articles I have found are in
agreement that illegal immigration is increasing at a rate we havent ever seen before, and that
our government has not made the right decisions confronting the problem (CQ Press and
LexisNexis). The major differences between the sources come from differing opinions on illegal
immigration. Some say that these immigrants are helping our economy, while others strongly
disagree. No matter the source however, all come to a consensus that the government and
American people need to find a way to start controlling the number of illegal immigrants
entering the U.S., almost 1,400 everyday (Illegal par. 1).
Like most arguments, there are always two sides one must hear before correctly assessing
the situation. As far as illegal immigration goes, some strongly believe these immigrants are
essential to the government. Two of my sources, The Los Angeles Times and The Hill agree
that the United States needs these immigrants in order to keep our economy functioning. The
article I found on The Hill goes so far as to saying any potential immigration reform could
have significant impacts on the U.S. fruit and vegetable industry (Illegal par. 4). The Los
Angeles Times specifically talks about how we are using immigrants as a scapegoat. Both
sources state that the government and politicians need to address the problem rather then passing
legislation that is not helping the issue.
On the opposite side of the spectrum, a letter to the editor in The New York Times argues
that if the government keeps providing services for illegal immigrants such as Medicaid, the

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illegal government will not be able to control the dangerous erosion of what little power the
government still has regarding these immigrants. An article in The Record newspaper agrees that
employers who hire illegal immigrants are allowing lower salaries to seep into the work force
and are becoming more of a norm. It is important to have sources that provide insight on both
sides of the argument in order to provide the most in depth research paper.
I found the most interesting sources of information to be from two extensive journals
regarding the issue. The Schwartz Series on American Competitiveness provides a more
extensive and detailed journal about issues that have brought illegal immigration to our country.
Rather than choosing a side, the journal talks about benefits and problems illegal immigration
bring to the United States. In comparison with The Schwartz Series a journal found on the CQ
Researcher database also chooses to talk about both sides of illegal immigration. I think these
articles will be most helpful to me because I do not have any biases towards the issue. As far as
credibility goes, these sources also seem to have a larger amount of editors, publishers and
accurate information.
Since most of my sources vary in their views, I do not think there is a lot of room for
gaps as far as information goes. I knew I would be able to find an abundant amount of
information which is why I choose the topic I did. As far as trends go, it seems like there have
always been two sides to the issue as far back as 1984 (my oldest source). It will be hard to stay
on topic strictly about illegal immigration and the economy. However, it will help focus my
paper because I can foresee it being a bit messy if I did not chose a certain direction to go in as
far as my research and writing.

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A Plan to Collect Information


I have collected enough information to write my research paper. Although I have thought
about interviewing people that I know, asking others about their experiences or opinions on
illegal immigration can be a touchy subject. Instead of having face-to-face interviews I am
starting to brainstorm ideas as to how I can obtain more information. I hope to find videos and
interviews of illegal immigrants. In any situation it is important to hear one voice their opinion
and how it is affecting their life. If I am not able to find any videos, I think I will be fine and
have acquired enough to write my paper and form my own opinion.
Overview of Challenges
I am most nervous about finishing my paper on time. Although I do feel as if I have
prepared enough as far as information and resources go, I am moving into my college apartment
next week! The month of August will be my busiest all summer so I need to make sure I set aside
enough time to complete this course. Also, I read in the research project instructions that we will
have to include a multi-media publication? I do not have experience doing any of these and I am
nervous about doing it the right way! Any extra help regarding this area of the research would be
greatly appreciated!
Conclusion
I am hoping by reading my paper my audience will walk away with a new opinion
regarding illegal immigration and the way it is affecting our economy. Whether my final research
shows that they help or hurt it, I want to open peoples eyes as to how important this issue is. I
truly believe that as the years go on, illegal immigration will be a growing problem. Usually
people like to jump to conclusions when they hear news regarding important issues facing our

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country. People who read my paper will hopefully walk away with the right information and gain
insight as to how we can dissolve the problem.
There are so many different opinions and wrong information on the Internet it really is
not fair to the immigrants, or the Americans seeking information. Overall, I want my paper to not
only inform those around me, but I want to become more informed as well. I am excited to
research and present my topic in a way everyone can be interested in without any biases.

Larson

Works Cited
Clemmitt, Marcia, Peter Katel, and Pamela Prah. "Illegal Immigration." Congress Quarterly
Researcher 15.17 (2005): 393-420. CQ Press Library. Web. 31 July 2014.
Goodman, H. A. "Illegal Immigrants Help The U.S. Economy." Web log post. Thehill.com.
Congress, 23 Apr. 2014. Web. 31 July 2014.
Hanson, Gordon H. "The Economic Logic of Illegal Immigration." The Bernard and Irene
Schwartz Series 26 (2007): 1-41. No Records. Web. 31 July 2014.
Llorente, Elizabeth. "Billions to Seal Borders Hasn't Slowed Illegals." The Record [New Jersey]
7 Dec. 2005, All ed.: AO1. Print.
Nelson, Alan C. "Illegal Aliens Are Not Entitled." The New York Times [New York] 18 Sept.
1986, sec. A: A.30. Print.
Skelton, George. "Bashing the System, Not the People." The Los Angeles Times [Los Angeles] 22
May 1994: 3. Print.

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