There’s a lot of talk these days about illegal immigrants and whether Western countries really need them to keep their economies going. Some people say that illegal immigrants are crucial for filling jobs and boosting the economy. But is that true? Let’s dive into the facts and uncover the truth.
The Claims
Some politicians and media say that illegal immigrants are essential because they fill important roles in the labor market and help keep economies strong. They argue that many of these migrants are skilled workers who are desperately needed.
But here’s the twist: recent evidence suggests that this might not be the whole story.
The Job Numbers Don’t Add Up
In the United States, for example, it turns out that the job numbers used to argue for open borders might not be as accurate as we were led to believe. The Biden Administration’s labor statistics have been adjusted, revealing that nearly 819,000 jobs previously reported didn’t actually exist. This was used to support the idea that illegal immigrants were necessary to fill a labor shortage.
So, did the U.S. really have a huge job shortage? Not exactly. And did illegal immigrants fill these gaps? The evidence doesn’t really show that they did.
Where Do Illegal Immigrants Work?
In America, many illegal immigrants end up in low-skill jobs in the service sector, like in nursing homes, or in construction. They provide cheap labor for building homes, but this hasn’t made housing more affordable. In fact, the influx of people has driven up housing prices because of increased demand.
Additionally, illegal immigrants often rely on government subsidies, which can sometimes provide more aid than what natural-born citizens receive. For instance, California and Oregon are even offering special housing loans for immigrants.
The Cost to Taxpayers
Data from 2022 shows that a significant number of non-citizen households use welfare programs—about 59% compared to 39% of U.S.-born households. This suggests that illegal immigrants are more likely to rely on public aid.
Moreover, illegal immigrants cost U.S. taxpayers around $150 billion each year in public services, while contributing only $25 billion in taxes. Although some argue that migrants boost the GDP by $324 billion, most of this money is sent back to their families abroad, not spent in the U.S.
What About Europe?
In the UK, there’s also a lot of hidden information about migrant data. Many migrants work in low-level jobs in the service and health sectors, like nursing. The UK estimates that around 1.7 million migrants are unemployed and costing taxpayers about £8.5 billion annually.
Germany is facing similar issues. Welfare costs for migrants have skyrocketed, reaching $49 billion in 2024, which is significantly higher than in previous years. In the EU, migrants from Africa and Asia are also concentrated in low-skilled jobs in health services.
The Bottom Line
The idea that illegal migrants are essential for Western economies and bring valuable skills is more complicated than it seems. The evidence suggests they might not be the economic saviors they’re often portrayed as. Instead, they can strain welfare systems, push up housing prices, and generally add more costs than benefits.
So, what should Western countries do? They should be more selective about who they let in, ensuring that migrants bring real value and are willing to integrate into society. Otherwise, the current system might not be working as well as we’ve been led to believe.
