The inflow of immigrants has always been witnessed in developed countries. Mainly immigrants come from underdeveloped countries to developed countries for a better lifestyle, higher wages, and peace. Governments worldwide are trying to make their policies as immigrant-friendly as possible to make sure these people come and contribute positively to their economies.
There is a belief among many people that immigrants are a burden on the economy and take jobs that rightfully belong to citizens. This is not entirely true as they also have their own share of benefits that contribute to the economy and society.
Helping immigrants to settle in and adjust to a new environment has always been a humane task, but it's much more than that. Here are some ways in which it can be said that when we help immigrants, we help ourselves.
Economic growth:
Immigrants can contribute positively to an economy in different ways. They add revenue by working and contributing to taxes. They provide an extra workforce and innovations, which in turn creates job opportunities for locals. For instance, taxi services like Uber and Lyft are only possible due to the presence of qualified immigrant drivers who may otherwise be underemployed and desperate for work.
A good example of a country where immigrants contribute to the economy is the United States. It's well known that immigrant entrepreneurship drives economic expansion in several fields. In 2018, the Harvard Business Review reported that the self-employment rate among immigrants in the US was twice as high as that of natural-born citizens, and their businesses generated over $1 trillion in annual sales.
Diversity:
Diversity is a gem and a vital component of any society. It enhances tolerance among different cultures and helps in bridging gaps in communication among people of different races and religion. The presence of immigrants can help in reducing discrimination and stereotypes by providing first-hand evidence to disprove many myths surrounding different cultures. Moreover, such diversity in a country can result in growth in innovation, creativity, and new perspectives to tackle global issues.
Demographics:
Demographics are critical to the future of any country. As the population of developed countries is getting older, the need for a younger workforce is becoming increasingly essential. Immigration, thus, could be a solution to address this issue by ensuring a vibrant young workforce.
Social Harmony:
Helping immigrants can lead to social harmony in different ways. First, if immigrants are well settled, they will be less likely to commit crimes. Conditions such as poverty, which disproportionately affect immigrants, often have a direct link to crime. Second, it will reduce the overall tension and conflict that can arise from the perception that immigrants are here illegally and are taking jobs away from locals.
Conclusion:
Helping immigrants settle in can have many advantages for the economy, society, and the country as a whole. It reduces poverty, increases innovation, embraces diversity, and provides a young workforce essential in maintaining a stable demographic. It's therefore critical that governments worldwide think of ways in which they can make their policies more immigrant-friendly, to promote a positive image of welcoming immigrants and help them integrate and contribute positively to their new societies. So, it can be rightly said that when we help immigrants, we, in turn, help ourselves.