Immigration reform good for the economy?

Immigrants wave flags after being sworn in as U.S. citizens in naturalization ceremonies on July 26, 2007 in Pomona, California.

A study released yesterday by the Center for American Progress and the Immigration Policy Institute concludes that granting legal status to the US’s estimated 12 million undocumented immigrants would have positive economic repercussions, to the tune of $1.5 trillion added to the GDP over 10 years. On what grounds? Lead author Raúl Hinojosa of UCLA examined economic data after 3 million illegal immigrants were granted amnesty in 1986. What are the fiscal consequences of illegal immigration? Will immigration reform benefit the U.S. economy?

A study released yesterday by the Center for American Progress and the Immigration Policy Institute concludes that granting legal status to the US’s estimated 12 million undocumented immigrants would have positive economic repercussions, to the tune of $1.5 trillion added to the GDP over 10 years. On what grounds? Lead author Raúl Hinojosa of UCLA examined economic data after 3 million illegal immigrants were granted amnesty in 1986. What are the fiscal consequences of illegal immigration? Will immigration reform benefit the U.S. economy?

Guests:

Raul Hinojosa, lead author of new study, Raising the Floor for American Workers: The Economic Benefits of Comprehensive Immigrations Reform, Professor of Chicano Studies, Director of North American Integration and Development Center, UCLA

Steven Camarota, Director of Research, Center for Immigration Studies