According to a study released today by the conservative American Action Forum, the Immigration reform-just like the one that Congress is reviewing- will contribute to the growth of the GDP, increase per capita income and reduce the budget deficit over the next decade.

The analysis of the economic benefits of the reform was released on the eve of a national march at the Capitol, in which tens of thousands of activists and community leaders will demand that Congress pass a law without delay that legalizes the eleven million undocumented immigrants who are currently residing in the United States.

"It is time for the United States to compete again. We became an industrial giant with the effort of immigrants. My message in this study is that we need to use immigration as a tool for the growth of our economy," said to EFE the president of the American Action Forum and author of the study, Douglas Holtz –Eakin.

"A lot is said about the costs but it would be wrong to not consider the benefits of a reform for the U.S. economy. I believe that it’s all on applying good policies to help increase wages and good overall economic performance," said Holtz –Eakin.

"There will be more difficult days ahead, as in any other volatile situation, but my hope is that conservatives will understand the impact and benefits of this legislation," said Holtz-Eakin, who advised Republican Senator John McCain on economic issues during his 2008 presidential campaign.

The study in general indicated that the immigration reform would accelerate the growth of the population, the GDP would increase from 3 to 3.9% annually in the first ten years, it would also increase the per capita income to $1,700 and would reduce the federal government budget deficit more than $ 2.7 trillion over the next decade.

The study also pointed out that the absence of a immigration reform would have a negative effect, and contribute to a long-term economic decline if the current birth rate in the U.S. is taken into account( its lowest level since 1920).

Editorial@sandiegored.com

Omar.Martinez@sandiegored.com