The Effects of Immigration

Recently globally, there seems to be an upsurge in the number of immigrants. An immigrant is

defined as a person who goes to a foreign country to live or work permanently. Though some
persons are completely haughty about the fact that other persons are taking up residence in
their country some persons have no problems with it. People immigrate from one country to
another for a variety of complex reasons. Some are forced to move, due to conflict or to escape
persecution and prejudices, while others may voluntarily immigrate. Immigrants can affect a
country both positively and negatively.
In the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, growing political, social and economic
tensions throughout the year led to the displacement of Venezuelans. In an update
released by the United Nations Refugee on May 19 th 2017 stated that there are over
40,000 Venezuelans currently living in Trinidad and Tobago and the numbers are
expected to rise by the end of the year. Most of these persons are not in the process of
gaining citizenship because of the lengthy period of time it takes and the exorbitant
amount of money required. Our government needs to put precautions in place that safe
guards their citizens as well as have some control over the number of immigrants.
Immigrants have to find employment somewhere in order to make money so they can
survive. Many of the Venezuelan immigrants are coming to Trinidad and w orking jobs
like construction workers(bricklayers), cleaners and some of the women even have to
resort to prostitution. These Venezuelans are taking any job they can get in order for
them to get money to buy food, clothes or even seek shelter. In a report by the Trinidad
Guardian a fisherman stated that “Some Venezuelan women are being sexually exploited.
It is sad to see Trini men using these women as prostitutes. They giving themselves cheap,
as low as $100. Some are doing bad things just for a plateful of food,” the man said.

It is said that these immigrants negatively affect our country’s economy since they cannot
receive money via the bank because most of them are not here legally. These illegal
immigrants have to be paid in cash and therefore do not need to pay taxes but a native-born
citizen doing the same job is subjected to taxes. However, to counteract this claim, an illegal
immigrant would do the same work that the native does for a smaller amount of money
because they simply need a job and would succumb to any working conditions in order to
receive money to survive which is an advantage to the employer. As aforementioned these
persons are doing anything for a plate of food something that we may see as trivial. In addition,
immigrants would purchase products in the country therefore; money they earn would be
cycled back into the country’s economy.

Immigrants also bring with them their culture things like food, music, clothes and
dance. These Venezuelans
Immigrants have to find a job in order to make money so they can survive. Many of these
Venezuelans are coming to Trinidad and working jobs like construction workers,
cleaners and some women even resort to prostitution.

Limitations
Conclusion
Immigration may always be an issue in countries but we must always remember that the
good outweigh the bad in this situation. Immigrants bring with them a variety of things
like their culture and their talents. Remember that they chose your country to sha re these
things with. “The land flourished because it was fed from so many sources because it was
nourished by so many cultures and traditions and peoples.”
Lyndon B. Johnson

As a country, we need to be prepared to deal with the effects of

this migration crisis, especially in this time of economic instability.
There are costs that must be borne by the State which we must face.
The cost of health care and education are just two that arise. There is
also the issue of the type of jobs they engage in, what are the effects
on the labour market, and is there going to be displacement of local
workers. The concern about fiscal strain at this time raises the need
for a policy decision to be made by the government in terms of how
to handle the increased inflow of people from these neighbouring
countries. Indeed, such a decision will influence what the net
economic effect will be in the medium term. We have to assess the
social, cultural and economic impact of the arrival of these people?
As citizens, we just need a better understanding of what is taking
place.