what is the net economic effect of illegal immigration
Economic Impact. The most important and avidly debated effects of undocumented immigration involve the United Statesâ economy and labor force. It is estimated that there are 12 million undocumented immigrants in the United States today, and their impact on the economy can be perceived as positive as well as negative. (28) The overall effect is unclear, and this page aims to present both sides of the debate. The main argument in support of undocumented immigration is that migrant workers do jobs that Americans do not want to do. Given that most Americans do not compete with undocumented workers for jobs, there has not been a significant shift in the wage rate.