The Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas warned Wednesday that the United States is at the risk of falling behind in the global race for talent peoples because of Washington’s current immigration policies. The bank released its 2010 yearly report and says U.S. needs highly-skilled foreign-born workers who actually contribute more to the American economy than take away.
According to latest statistics, immigrants with more than a high school education contributed $105,000 more in taxes than they used in public services, while lower-skilled migrants actually cost $89,000 more than they contributed in taxes during their lifetime. Fed senior economists pointed out that too much focus by Washington on illegal immigration causes federal authorities to miss that the legal system of immigration needs reform as well. He added, “45 percent of medical scientists and 37 percent of computer programmers are immigrants”.
Since 1996 the number of permanent resident visas is unchanged and more than 1 million skilled-workers still waiting from an employment-based green card from the government. Because of this situation, some have given up waiting or applying, while relatives of U.S. citizens and other legal residents or even refugees find it easier to acquire green cards.
