Transcripts

Commentary: Illegal Immigrants & The Economy

SUSIE GHARIB: The issue of illegal immigration has Americans talking these days, among them, tonight`s commentator. Here`s Irving R. Levine, dean emeritus at Lynn University and former chief economics correspondent for NBC News.

IRVING R. LEVINE, DEAN EMERITUS, INTERNATIONAL STUDIES, LYNN UNIVERSITY: In wrestling with the issue of illegal immigration, Congress should focus on economic realities. Economic reality number one: legislation to deport illegal immigrants overlooks the fact that, like it or not, the U.S. economy has become dependent on them. Reality two: legislation based on the argument that illegal immigrants take jobs from Americans doesn`t hold water -- not with unemployment at 4.7 percent and "help wanted" signs proliferating.

Reality three: legislation should outlaw local bans on driving licenses for illegal immigrants. In many places driving is the only way to get to work. Reality four: legislation that offers different deals to illegal immigrants depending on their arrival date in the U.S. is unrealistic. Illegal immigrants are by definition undocumented. They have no entry documents. Reality five: legislation should give illegal immigrants a legal status. As legal workers, they would pay income taxes, benefiting the U.S. Treasury. Employers would no longer fear immigration raids. The winners would be the immigrants and the economy. In short, members of Congress, in passing new laws on immigration, it`s time to get real. I am Irving R. Levine.