Home Categories About
argument top image
Should countries accept immigrants? Should countries accept immigrants?
Yes, countries should accept immigrants Yes, countries should accept immigrants
No, countries should not accept immigrants No, countries should not accept immigrants
Immigrants positively affect the economy Immigrants positively affect the economy
People have the right to live wherever they want People have the right to live wherever they want
A liberal state must allow freedom of movement A liberal state must allow freedom of movement
Countries with colonial pasts cannot turn immigrants away Countries with colonial pasts cannot turn immigrants away
Accepting refugees is beneficial Accepting refugees is beneficial
Immigrants put an unnecessary strain on public services Immigrants put an unnecessary strain on public services
Immigrants erode local culture and traditions Immigrants erode local culture and traditions
Immigrants increase competition for work Immigrants increase competition for work
Debate Mini Map

Should countries accept immigrants?
Back to question

No, countries should not accept immigrants

< (2 of 2)

Immigrants put an unnecessary strain on public services

Immigration can create a strain on infrastructure and public services de to overcrowding. It also costs the taxpayer money. Immigrants use expensive welfare measures and healthcare services.
Enoch Powell
< (1 of 3) Next argument >

The Argument

Immigration puts an unnecessary strain on already overwhelmed public services, particularly in countries with free healthcare, like the UK. It increases the tension on already stretched resources. Many immigrants will spend time on social welfare whilst looking for work which is expensive to the taxpayer. [1] These services are reserved for tax-paying citizens. Many countries are already overcrowded and cannot easily produce extra housing to accommodate an influx of people. This consideration is particularly true of social housing, of which there is limited space. Additionally, public roads become crowded and create gridlock, while trains and buses are overwhelmed. Extra people also create extra competition for school places and hospital beds.[2] There will not be enough doctors or dentists per head of population if migrants are allowed in. We do not have the infrastructure to support an untold number of migrants.[1] Immigrants are costly in terms of taxation and put stress on local infrastructure. Countries would be better off not accepting immigrants.

Counter arguments

Immigrants do not put a strain on public services because they contribute tax money as well as receiving tax benefits. As the number of people grows, the tax revenue grows. Many immigrants are net contributors to the economy because, having moved in adulthood, they have not used costly educational services.[3] Studies have found that immigrants are less likely to use welfare benefits than native citizens.[4] Immigrants are a boon to infrastructure because they contribute to the skills gap by providing doctors, nurses, and other needed professionals, of which we do not have enough. Unscrupulous politicians who underfund public infrastructure frequently and unfairly lay the blame on immigrants. Poor public services are caused by persistent neglect and refusal to pay for them with higher taxes.[5] Immigration does not necessarily cause overcrowding; it's poor planning and a lack of funding that contributes to overcrowding. Immigration allows in people who can be net contributors to the economy and provide much-needed skills.

Proponents

Premises

[P1] Immigrants cost the taxpayer money due to their use of social welfare and healthcare. [P2] Immigration puts considerable strain on limited infrastructure. [C] Immigration overwhelms public services and should be stopped.

Rejecting the premises

[Rejecting P1] Immigrants contribute more than they receive in taxes. [Rejecting P2] Immigrants contribute skills and tax revenue to existing infrastructure.

References

  1. https://www.migrationwatchuk.org/key-topics/public-services-infrastructure
  2. https://anth1001.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/enoch-powell_speech.pdf
  3. https://www.pbs.org/newshour/economy/making-sense/4-myths-about-how-immigrants-affect-the-u-s-economy
  4. https://www.cato.org/publications/immigration-research-policy-brief/immigration-welfare-state-immigrant-native-use-rates#:~:text=Poor%20immigrants%20are%20less%20likely,program%20except%20SSI%20and%20Medicaid.
  5. https://www.ft.com/content/b12181a0-2332-11e6-9d4d-c11776a5124d

In the Wild

This page was last edited on Monday, 30 Nov 2020 at 12:23 UTC

Explore related arguments