As for number two, the US needs both low and high skilled imported labor. The study that Congress is using states that there are 483,000 low skilled jobs being created by the economy each year. Consequently, you will notice that these proposed guest worker plans start with a quota of 400,000. If those are applied for in the first quarter, an additional 10% will be created. If those are applied for in the second quarter, a second 10% will be created for a potential total of 480,000 which is about the same as the 483,000 estimate.
On the high skilled workers, I believe the quota reached 135,000 during the boom and was then lowered to 65,000 during the recession. As the eonomy has recovered that quota will have to be raised and there is mich discussion going on about the ultimate number.
So, I see. Employers "need" to import low skill labor, because the social cost is borne by the taxpayer. Do you think that employers would "need" so many if they, not the taxpayers, had to pay that $89,000? Would you be in favor of a social cost levy on employers of low skill importees, or are you fine with the taxpayers paying it?