Path to citizenship and out of poverty
Economic Policy Institute:
If you've followed the immigration debate, you've probably heard the phrase "creating a path to citizenship."
Under the more welcoming approach to immigration reform, these people, after paying a fine, would have the opportunity to become naturalized citizens, with the same rights and responsibilities as native-born Americans.
But there's another reason that this hasn't gotten enough attention: the significant economic advantages that immigrant workers can receive from citizenship.
Regarding poverty rates in 2004 (the most recent available data) for U.S. residents by country of birth, 12 percent of native-born Americans were poor that year, compared with 17 percent of immigrants.
