Those 8 million WORKING picking oranges and strawberries, and washing dishes in diners and mowing your lawn
I’ll guarantee you every one of those 8 million that are working are also drawing welfare...on their American born kids. You think you can support a family on that kind of pay?
During my 37 years experience working on design and manufacture of machines subjected to more brutal impact loads than any other machine in the world (cold extrusion of steel), the most important thing I learned is pay more attention to actual results and ignore theory and opinions.
So...on subject of foreign labor, the best example to learn from is from countries who are actually successful using foreign labor. 2 years ago I had the opportunity to spend a few days of vacation time in Singapore and wanted to know why Singapore has more millionaires based on population size than any other country, including Switzerland and Dubai and Kuwait. Every 6th Singapore citizen (a mix of Chinese, Indians & a few Arabs Plus a few left over British) has net worth more than $1 Million US dollars.
Breakdown of Singapore worker population: 66% Singapore citizens, 34% foreign labor. Unemployment rate in Singapore is essentially zero. Only people without jobs are those who quit one job to look for another or another career in business.
So why is Singapore so affluent? It was not always so. When it was a British colony, majority of people were not rich. After gaining independence, some really smart people became leaders and changed the country.
First, there is zero welfare in Singapore for able bodied people over 18 and under 65. If you do not work, you can starve. But since jobs are plentiful, no one starves.
Foreign workers are given a 2 year work visa, based on need. At the end of 2 years they must go back and re-apply for another 2 year visa. Most foreign workers are doing low skilled labor jobs. Because their wages in Singapore are so much better than their nearby countries (India, Pakistan, Myanmar, Indonesia, Thailand etc) foreign workers follow the rules. Anyone who breaks laws or starts religious conflict is promptly deported never allowed again in Singapore. Result is Buddhists, Hindu’s and Muslims get along without conflicts.
Getting back to United States, we should adopt similar system. Issue a 2 year work visa to foreign workers based on need. They must leave at end of 2 years and re-apply. Deport all illegals without exceptions. No welfare benefits to any foreign worker. Foreign workers must pay income tax. They can sign up for social security taxes but must work 20 years+ to be eligible for any benefits. US citizens become eligible to receive social security benefits with only 10 years of work.