Are Latinos the Future of America?

The real fight over immigration may no longer be whether or not we should open or close our borders, but rather what should be done with the immigrants that are already here. In a recent article from The Economist, it is made clear that the 48 million documented and many more undocumented Hispanic immigrants on course to becoming the population majority could give the United States an advantage over other nations in the near future. 

In the coming decades, the article predicts that the relatively young and rapidly growing Latino demographic will bring down the median age to "a spritely 41"- 11 years younger than Germany's-

and allow America's population and labour force to continue expanding, while that of countries such as China will shrink. The result would be a lower percentage of the population reaping the government benefits of old age, and a higher percentage fueling the country's economy. 

The article suggests that it would be in Americans best interest to "not squander . . . the rise of Latinos", and instead take care to educate the demographic. Certain states are making the right move in this situation, making college more affordable for students with "good grades but the wrong legal status". Yet other states, including Arizona and Georgia, refuse to give undocumented students in-state tuition rates, and others such as Alabama and North Carolina refuse to even permit them enrollment. This is a tricky issue, as I partially feel that U.S. citizens should be given priority. However, the reality might be that "the whole country will suffer" if the 2044 majority of the population is "poorer and worse educated than [today's] American average". 

Avoiding the moral issues regarding illegal immigrants receiving in-state tuition, I believe from a economic stand point that the country should follow the path of states such as California, New Mexico and Texas, which go as far as providing undocumented Hispanic students with state financial aid. Although it might not make the most sense to reward those coming to the United States illegally, it may be in the country's best interest to give in.