[just_living]

It is costing American taxpayers BILLIONS.

Just wondering here, and don't want to get attacked, but has anyone done any real analysis on what the impact would be if we had to have our fruits and veggies picked by minimum wage laborers? I am in NO WAY pro illegal immigrants, but it seems like there would be a tremendous ripple through our economy if legal American wages were paid for those services. And before I get attacked, I know nothing about this, just looking for some opinions, and good arguments. Thanks.

[Reaganwuzthebest]

Just wondering here, and don't want to get attacked, but has anyone done any real analysis on what the impact would be if we had to have our fruits and veggies picked by minimum wage laborers?

Don't have a link handy but I've read studies that even if farm workers were paid $20.00 an hour or more the price of lettuce would not go up as much as people think.

With increased mechanization the need for laborers could be drastically reduced anyway, but as long as farmers are supplied with cheap workers there isn't much incentive to do so.

[janetgreen]

I don't think the difference between American minimum wage and the wage that illegals get for picking fruit and veggies is much different. The downside is that these employers don't have to provide any medical care, and probably pay many of their employees in cash, skipping the tax issue. There are millions of American welfare recipients who are able-bodied and able to pick fruit or do most of the jobs that illegal aliens do, but there's no politicians with huevos enough to even suggest it. Political correctness, of course, they don't want to hurt the feelings of welfare recipients or insult the corrupt Mexican politicians.