Hey, Congress: Legalizing Undocumented Immigrants Would Benefit the Middle Class

September 1, 2009
Hey, Congress: Legalizing Undocumented Immigrants Would Benefit the Middle Class
<http://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=2807631&msgid=224296&act=FBUG&c=144597&admin=0&destination=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.drummajorinstitute.org%2Fimmigration%2F> Policy debates are often won or lost based on how issues are framed. With Congress expected to reconsider immigration reform this fall , we offer a new report, “Principles for an Immigration Policy to Strengthen and Expand the American Middle Class: 2009 Edition ,” that reframes immigration reform in terms of the shared economic interests of immigrants and the middle class. Polls show more Americans rejecting the impulse to blame immigrants for their economic woes and supporting the legalization of undocumented immigrants. So this is a good time to present a fresh evidence-based blueprint for immigration reform driven by the needs of struggling American workers. Written by Amy Traub , DMI’s research director, the report reveals not only that the American middle class relies on the economic contributions of undocumented immigrants, but also that the exploitation of undocumented immigrants threatens to drive down wages, benefits, and labor standards for all low-income and middle-income workers. Earned legalization for undocumented immigrants is shown to be the most effective way to maximize their economic contributions and prevent the workplace exploitation that makes it harder for low-income Americans to earn a middle-class standard of living These findings inform a two-fold litmus test to judge immigration reform in Congress: new policy must 1) bolster the economic contributions of immigrants as workers, entrepreneurs, taxpayers and consumers; 2) strengthen immigrants’ workplace rights. If policy fails either part of the test, the middle class will suffer as a result. Our report urges Congress to acknowledge that only permanent legal residency can offer the security and stability to ensure a level playing field between native-born and immigrant workers. Full legal status would increase the tax contributions and wages of undocumented immigrants due to a greater ability to exercise workplace rights once the fear of deportation is gone. Over time, it would generate more revenue to fund the government programs and services that benefit all current and aspiring middle class Americans.

To read the full report, click here <http://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=2807631&msgid=224296&act=FBUG&c=144597&admin=0&destination=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.drummajorinstitute.org%2Fimmigration%2F> .
For Talking Points on Immigrants and the Middle Class, click here <http://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=2807631&msgid=224296&act=FBUG&c=144597&admin=0&destination=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.drummajorinstitute.org%2Flibrary%2Freport.php%3FID%3D102> .
For Talking Points on Immigration Policy, click here .
For a Fact Sheet on Immigrants' Economic Contributions, click here <http://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=2807631&msgid=224296&act=FBUG&c=144597&admin=0&destination=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.drummajorinstitute.org%2Flibrary%2Freport.php%3FID%3D104> .
For a Fact Sheet on The Exploitation of Undocumented Workers, click here .

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The Drum Major Institute for Public Policy is a non-partisan, non-profit think tank generating the ideas that fuel the progressive movement. From releasing nationally recognized studies of our increasingly fragile middle class to showcasing progressive policies that have worked to advance social and economic justice, DMI has been on the leading edge of the public policy debate. DMI is also noted for developing new and creative ways to bring its work to the advocates and opinion leaders that need it, from starting one of the first public policy weblogs to pioneering the use of Google Adwords to hold elected officials accountable for their votes on issues of importance to their constituents. For more information, please visit www.drummajorinstitute.org .




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