Unemployment is at 5%. There are an estimated 8 million or so people out of work who want to work.
There are an estimated 12 million+ illegals living and working here now.
If all 12 million were thrown out, that would be 4 million more jobs open than there are people looking for work.
And most of those 12 million jobs are jobs that the 8 million unemployed are not interested in doing, at least not for what they currently pay.
Certainly, with higher wages offered, we could get a significant number of people to move into these jobs.
But not all 12 million.
As part of getting rid of illegals, we need to increase our ability to bring in controlled, TEMPORARY immigrant workers.
BTW, in our county (Prince William, Va) we have a crackdown on illegals, run by an executive who is seen as evil by the pro-illegal-immigrant lobby.
But last month, when asked what comes next, he said several times that it was important to increase avenues for LEGAL immigration, including guest worker programs.
That is where the average american will be found. We have them on our side for getting rid of illegals, but they aren’t for shutting down immigration, or for leaving these jobs unfilled.
>>Unemployment is at 5%. There are an estimated 8 million or so people out of work who want to work.<<
Let’s assume you are correct, although “unemployment” is presently rising and usually does not count those who have given up looking for work.
>>If all 12 million were thrown out, that would be 4 million more jobs open than there are people looking for work.<<
Not to worry. If deportation (including self-deportation) ever reduced the number of illegals by even 30%, the congressional stampede to bring in more guest workers and/or pass amnesty would cause such severe injuries to members of congress that multiple amulances would be needed at the capitol.
>>Certainly, with higher wages offered, we could get a significant number of people to move into these jobs.
But not all 12 million.<<
Agree.
>>As part of getting rid of illegals, we need to increase our ability to bring in controlled, TEMPORARY immigrant workers.<<
One problem is that we have no visa exit tracking system, so temporary worker programs, although a good idea in principle, add to the number of illegals, and this increases the pressure for another amnesty program. Another side-effect is that some legal temp workers bring in their families and have anchor babies, which have a great effect 20 years down the road.
Let’s see if McCain proposes totally new temp worker programs, even though IMO we have enough programs. I would guess that he will, but we’ll see.
>>But last month, when asked what comes next, he said several times that it was important to increase avenues for LEGAL immigration, including guest worker programs.<<
What is wrong with the temp worker programs we already have? If deportation creates real labor shortages, responsible temp worker programs are fine, but why do we need to “increase avenues for LEGAL immigration?”