The median level of education for newly arriving immigrants is 10 years, all of which was received abroad. These facts indicate that immigration does not pose a threat to the U.S. educational system and its educational standards. In fact, during the 1990's, student achievement scores have risen. Immigrants pay more in taxes than they receive in benefits. These facts indicate that immigrants make a major contribution to the U.S. economy by adding more to the economy for the benefit of long time residents and citizens.
More immigrants start small businesses than do native-born citizens.
In fact, immigrants own nearly half of all inner-city firms. A recent issue of Forbes Magazine listed that 23 of the 200 Best Small Companies were immigrant-owned. Even prior to the 1996 immigration laws, immigrants are less likely than native-born citizens to collect welfare. This is the same rate as for native-born citizens during that time. These facts indicate that immigrants contribute to the economy by earning higher incomes, creating jobs, paying higher taxes and not straining the welfare system.