Understanding the Anger: Why Some Americans are Pissed Off at Illegals Taking Jobs and Benefits

There has been a significant increase in disdain among many Americans towards the so-called 'illegals' working and receiving government assistance. This anger is often rooted in the belief that illegal immigrants receive government assistance without the proper qualifications. However, the situation is more complex than this. In this article, we will explore the reality of illegal immigration and the extent to which illegal immigrants do receive government benefits and job opportunities, challenging the common misconceptions.

Common Misconceptions About Illegals Receiving Benefits

One of the pervasive beliefs is that illegal immigrants could not possibly be receiving government benefits because they cannot legally apply for them. However, this is far from the truth. According to a report from the Washington Post, 5.1% of the entire US workforce consists of illegal immigrant workers who often find themselves in jobs that do not require formal documentation but still can access benefits.

Fraudulent Documents and Benefits

Businesses often connive with illegal immigrants and knowingly accept fraudulently obtained Social Security numbers to employ illegal aliens. These fraudulent documents are not only used to circumvent employment laws but also to claim government benefits. Moreover, illegal immigrants can fraudulently obtain driver's licenses and even vote in some regions. For instance, conservatives have pointed out the use of birth certificates to match utility bills as a disenfranchising measure. However, this only further complicates the issue for the disenfranchised, as it means even obtaining documentation is fraught with challenges.

The Cost to Taxpayers

The financial burden on taxpayers due to illegal immigration is staggering. According to calculations, taxpayers shell out approximately $134.9 billion to cover the costs incurred by the presence of more than 12.5 million illegal aliens and about 4.2 million citizen children of illegal aliens. This totals to a burden of about $8,075 per illegal alien family member and a total cost of $11,589,459,766.40. While the costs rose slightly from $113 billion in 2013, the overall trend remains alarming, indicating a unsustainable and disturbingly high cost to the American taxpayer.

Consequences of Illegal Immigration

The proliferation of illegal immigrants leads to a glut of unskilled labor and competition for jobs. While the job competition argument is often used to justify anger towards illegal immigrants, it is also important to consider the role of businesses in perpetuating this issue. Many employers are willing to provide jobs without proper documentation, knowing full well that they can exploit the lack of regulatory oversight.

Policy and Social Issues

The broader social and policy issues related to illegal immigration include global warming and climate change. These global issues often go unaddressed in the context of the costs and complexities of illegal immigration. The result is a situation where the focus remains on immediate costs rather than addressing the underlying global issues that impact society.

Conclusion

While the anger directed towards illegal immigrants is understandable, it is crucial to understand that the problem is not as simple as illegal immigrants acting with malicious intent. The complexities of fraudulent documentation, the financial burden on taxpayers, and the broader social and policy issues all contribute to this situation. Reforms and policy changes are needed to address these issues comprehensively, ensuring that all Americans, including those who are legally here, can thrive.