US immigration standards are lower than most developed economies
Bottom Line: On the topic of immigration today... There’s a wealth of interesting information available from some of the latest work out of the Pew Research Center. First consider this...Generally do you think immigrants in this country should:
- A) Be able to contribute to society right away
- B) Be put on government assistance right away
- C) Should be more educated and economically capable than the average American
What’s interesting in the ever-ongoing immigration debate is the reality of what’s expected in most developed countries compared to what we’re debating pertaining to asylum seekers and illegal immigrants as part of the ongoing border wall debate. Not only are the existing US standards for immigration lax compared to much of the rest of the developed world, we’re significantly more accepting of those who often aren’t in a position to be accretive to our economy upon entry.
The most significant example of immigration policy comes from New Zealand where immigrants must have a minimum of $1 million in assets they bring into the country prior to being considered for legal status. Short of that example are some of these...
Among all immigrants the United States is among the lowest in the developed world for admitting well educated immigrants as a percentage of those admitted. Among immigrants 25 years or older 36% of immigrants have graduated from college. That’s 4% lower than the US population and ranks well behind many countries. In Canada for example, 65% of all immigrants legally admitted have degrees. While that’s on the high end of the curve, most developed countries rank above the US based on policies that don’t allow for government assistance as part of incoming immigration status and often include work requirements. For example, the average immigrant is more educated and economically capable than the average native-born citizen in countries including:
- Canada
- Israel
- England
- Australia
- Sweden
- Italy
- Spain
- France
While many on the left have conditioned Americans that it’s only right that we loosen further our policies to further allow in those who’re educationally and economically challenged in their existing countries, the truth is it’s the opposite of what most of the rest of the world allows. Not to mention with 18% of Americans living in poverty and $21.5 trillion in debt, how compassionate is it to Americans to take in those who aren’t able to economically benefit our society upon arrival?