Thread: Growth spurs flow of illegal and legal immigrants to NC

http://www.wwaytv3.com/Global/story.asp ... v=menu70_2

Growth spurs flow of illegal and legal immigrants to NC
Nov 16, 2005, 01:52 PM PST
There are an estimated 12 million Hispanics in this country illegally. The federal government collects millions of dollars each week from those who receive paychecks -- money that bolsters social security. But taxpayers also pay out money for services for undocumented workers and their families.

As North Carolina rebuilt following hurricanes in the '90s, many immigrants found their way here to fill a workforce shortage.

As growth continues, so has the flow of illegal and legal immigrants to North Carolina. For employers, a large base of workers who work cheap with a reputation for working hard.

Amigos Internacional board member Fernando Amorim said, "You can ever hardly find a Latino who's not working. You can find one who's looking for a second or third job. And the numbers prove that."

Amorim says the overall Latino buying-power represents the fastest growing sector in the US, and big business is standing up and taking notice.

According to Fineman PR, a marketing firm, Latino purchasing power in America rose to $686 billion in 2004, a nearly 350 percent increase since 1990, and will skyrocket to almost $1 trillion by 2009.

And immigrants working long hours in the farmer's fields for low wages keep grocery store bills down. The US Product is allowed to be cheaper because of that agriculture and labor Latinos bring.

But there is a cost associated with illegal immigrants.

According to the center for immigration studies, households headed by illegal aliens imposed more than $26.3 billion in costs on the federal government in 2002 and paid only $16 billion in taxes.

Among the largest costs is Medicaid at $2.5 billion, treatment for the uninsured at $2.2 billion and federal aid to schools at $1.4 billion.

About two-thirds of illegal immigrants never completed high school, leaving them relegated to low-income jobs. So if more were made legal non-citizens, they would contribute more in taxes, but also would become eligible for more taxpayer paid government services.

That's why education is so important. If the children of immigrants can get an education, go to college, push past those low-income jobs, their contribution in taxes may someday overcome the deficits faced now: A better life for your children -- the American dream.

Friday, we'll examine the issues facing education here in teaching children who are just learning English. Thursday night at 6 we'll talk about the growing problems law enforcement faces with more and more Hispanic gangs in the war on drugs.

Um... THIS IS EDITORIAL... NOT NEWS. Is this listed as news? Who's voice / quote is this?

"That's why education is so important. If the children of immigrants can get an education, go to college, push past those low-income jobs, their contribution in taxes may someday overcome the deficits faced now: A better life for your children -- the American dream. "

the cost of college is now out of reach for many american citizens. who is helping the american poor attain college education? not much of anyone. so why should having the children of illegal aliens be a concern? .perhaps President Fox and his buddies could hold a fundraiser and set up a trust fund for these kids?

I hardly know where to start DISSECTING this PROPAGANDA. I guess I'll just leave it at that--it's PROPAGANDA.

PS--Don't they have colleges in MEXICO???