Immigration Reform Would Bring "Huge Benefits"

Kate Dore, CNBC, Oct. 12, 2023

"As the U.S. fertility rate continues to fall, there are growing concerns about the long-term economic impact: A smaller population means less tax revenue, which could reduce funding for programs such as Social Security and Medicare.  But immigration policy reform could be one solution, some experts say. ... "The tax base is shrinking, and allowing immigrants to come in lawfully is an easy solution to that," said Jackie Vimo, senior economic justice policy analyst at the National Immigration Law Center. "It's the answer hiding in plain sight." ... Depending on the scope of changes, immigration policy reform could provide "huge benefits" to the U.S. tax base and economy, said Silva Mathema, director for immigration policy at the Center for American Progress.  In a 2021 report, the organization modeled the economic impact of four scenarios involving a pathway to legalization and citizenship for undocumented immigrants.  The most comprehensive option — a pathway to citizenship for all undocumented immigrants — would increase the U.S. gross domestic product by a total of $1.7 trillion over 10 years and create 438,800 new jobs, according to the report."