Is This Reason To Be Thankful?

A great majority of immigrants including myself, migrated to the United States for a better life. Better overall compared to what we left. We voted with our feet. Having said that, a study done in 2018 by the Center for Immigration Studies shows that a growing number of immigrants access welfare at a higher rate compared to non-immigrants. Figure 1 shows that ultimate citizenship doesn’t change that fact.

Knowing this, I simply ask, is that reason to be thankful? According to a Pew Research study done in June of 2019, the US takes in around 1 million immigrants per year. What do non-immigrants think about that? Is this sustainable? Is this something that should just be accepted or must it be changed? Do we change the number of accepted immigrants or do we change the rules for accessing welfare?

Greg P

I believe I got my citizenship around 1992. It was a mixture of emotions. I felt I was betraying my mother country. Then I was also looking forward to the opportunities the US offered. The Actuarial profession was not as promising back home so I had to weigh my options. I would always rationalize that home is where your heart felt it belongs. I would always say “I am going back home to the Philippines” as opposed to “I’m going back to the States.” During my oath-taking ceremony, the judge said something that crystallized what I’ve been feeling leading up to the day. She said that in taking this oath you confirm where your loyalties lie but you do not give up in any way your heritage. It told me there were reasons to love both places. I know my blessings and they were more than many but that did not excuse me when it came to working and competing with others in the States. I do not live extravagantly but was rewarded enough to provide comfortably for my family. All because this country gave me what anyone really has – a fair shot. Life is full of trade offs. This country provided me with opportunity. No one stopped anyone from working towards it.