Journal on Policy & Complex Systems Volume 5, Number 2, Fall 2019 | Page 64

Journal on Policy and Complex Systems • Volume 5 , Number 2 • Fall 2019

The Effects of Immigration on the U . S . Economy

Jovana Morales-Tilgren M . A . Public Policy , Claremont Graduate University Jovana . Morales-Martinez @ cgu . edu

Yuan-Yuan Lee

PhD Student ( Computational Analytics & World Politics ), Claremont Graduate University

Yuan-Yuan . Lee @ cgu . edu

Ryan Cummins PhD Student ( Public Policy ), Claremont Graduate University Ryan . Cummins @ cgu . edu

Abstract

Immigration is continuously circulating at the forefront of discussion and debate in the United States and North America . Advocates share the position that robust immigration into the United States enriches the country and continues the foundational traditions of the nation . Opponents argue that any increase in immigration is a threat to employment opportunities for U . S . citizens and presents a financial drain on the economy . This paper examines the impact of immigration in the United States based on its economic effect and shows that immigration has a positive economic effect overall on native U . S . individuals . The research question for the purpose of this paper is : How do foreign-born individuals and foreign direct investment ( FDI ) impact the U . S . economy ?

Keywords : foreign direct investment ( FDI ); immigration ; time-series ; panel data ; economy ; endogenous growth theory

61 doi : 10.18278 / jpcs . 5.2.5