[Tax-chick]

If all the illegals were suddenly removed from the scene, would the unemployment numbers from the Hood improve?

Interesting question. Say that every illegal immigrant currently working in the U.S. was deported. Say that the border was secured to the point that additional illegal immigration was statistically insignificant. Say that we still have minimum wage laws that price a lot of labor far above its market value.

I predict a surge of innovation in automation technology, rather than a surge in employment of our presently-unemployed minority/youth population. On the other hand, I also predict a surge in employment and an increase in wages for skilled citizen workers, especially in the construction trades.

[JimSEA]

Agreed.

[aposiopetic]

Say that we still have minimum wage laws that price a lot of labor far above its market value.

Fair assumption. Also, say entitlements that subsidize indolence will continue to make entry into the labor force an unattractive alternative for many.