'Do They Cost Us Money?': Rick Scott Questions Witness About Impacts Of Illegal Immigration - Summary

Summary

During a discussion with Senator Scott, the following key points were covered:

1. The topic was immigration, focusing on both legal and illegal immigration.
2. Senator Scott asked about the number of people who have entered the country legally and illegally in the last two years. The witness mentioned approximately 2.1 million legal immigrants and about 5 million illegal immigrants.
3. They discussed the benefits and costs of legal and illegal immigration. Legal immigrants become eligible for various means-tested welfare programs, Social Security, and Medicare after five years.
4. The conversation touched on the fiscal impact of legal immigration, with the assertion that it can be costly, especially for less-educated individuals.
5. The impact of immigration on job opportunities was discussed, with some studies suggesting negative effects on low-skilled American workers, particularly in minority communities.
6. Senator Scott expressed concerns about fairness and the need to address both immigration policies and employment opportunities.

Overall, the discussion covered various aspects of immigration, its economic impact, and potential policy considerations.

Facts

Here are the key facts extracted from the provided text:

1. In the last two years, approximately 5 million people have come into the country legally, and the number of people who came in illegally is also estimated to be around 5 million.

2. Legal immigrants, after five years, become eligible for various welfare programs, including 90 different means-tested programs, Social Security, and Medicare.

3. Legal immigrants, depending on their education level, can cost American taxpayers a significant amount of money, with college-educated immigrants paying more in taxes than they receive in benefits, while those with lower education levels receive more benefits than they pay in taxes.

4. While there are reports of assistance being provided to both legal and illegal immigrants, the details of such support, such as housing and food vouchers, are not explicitly mentioned.

5. There is a debate about the impact of immigration, especially low-skill immigration, on American workers, with some studies suggesting that it can lead to wage loss for low-skill American workers.

6. There is also a discussion about the need to balance immigration policies to ensure that Americans have job opportunities and to create a system that incentivizes people to come to work rather than be dependent on government support.

7. The text implies that there should be limits on immigration to avoid overwhelming the system.

Please note that these facts are extracted from the text and may not represent a comprehensive view of the topic.