As a result, even the best-performing US graduates will still struggle to compete in the global job market because only a small percentage possess the necessary skills, while the majority of Hong Kong students possess similar abilities. Because top-performing U.S. schools get a low percentage of high-achieving students, that means the percentage, in every other state, will face bigger problems. “Current and future workforces will compete not only with each other and with millions of newly arrived immigrants, but also with equally (or better) skilled workers in low-wage economies around the world” (ETS). Under NAFTA, many owners have outsourced their operations overseas because they prefer to increase their profits by hiring higher-quality workers at lower wages, thus taking jobs away from Americans. “Researchers predict that more than 3 million white-collar jobs in the United States will be lost to other countries, including India, China, Russia, and the Philippines, by 2015” (Bates 2003). “In addition to call center jobs, accounting, loan processing, and financial analysis positions are among those going overseas in growing numbers” (Bates 2003). Companies do not think about the consequences of such actions which include decreasing the quality of life in the United States when they move profitable opportunities elsewhere. Foreign graduates may actually be more likely to receive high-paying opportunities when they enter the United States than American workers, which can be devastating for Americans. This article does not blame immigrants for the lack of jobs, but simply holds businesses accountable for their cost-cutting tactics. Ambitious immigrants still have the right to enter the United States, especially when they possess specialized skills that will increase competitive... middle of paper ... assistance for struggling students is at risk of falling behind their peers. This strategy will also prevent students from developing critical skills at an early stage. “State education grants to school districts were also cut in Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Mississippi, Ohio, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Virginia” (Johnson 2009). The budget deficit may force schools to cut career- and skills-based curricula, thus forcing schools to teach students how to pass a test that is not related to the workforce system. The opposition voted against increasing spending, but in reality some spending is necessary as long as it finances effective programmes. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 was implemented to distribute funding to struggling school systems and increase opportunities for disadvantaged students.