The only feasible economic solution to illegal immigration is to raise unskilled H2-B visa levels

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Over the past fifteen years, according to the World Bank, China and India have surged ahead of Mexico and the gap is widening. Mexico has gone nowhere. And until Mexico’s economic malaise is cured, millions will continue to seek economic opportunity in the United States. Can you blame them?

As long as the American boom beckons, Mexicans in search of prosperity will continue to stream to this country. They have a strong incentive to do so. The only way to reduce illegal immigration, therefore, is to raise the unskilled H-2B visa level and bring it in line with job openings in the United States. This is the only feasible economic solution to the chronic problem of illegal immigration. The idea worked forty years ago with the successful Bracero program for farm workers. It can work again.

[...]

You can build a fence, but desperate Mexicans in search of economic opportunity will climb over it or tunnel under it. This is the reality. And by the way, our H-1B visa program for skilled workers, now at only 65,000, should be unlimited. We need all the scientists and engineers we can get.

Once these immigrants get here they work hard. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Hispanic unemployment is only 5.5 percent, compared to 4.8 percent overall.

As for the claim that illegal workers don’t pay taxes, Princeton professor Douglas Massey estimates that roughly two-thirds of undocumented immigrants pay the FICA payroll tax. Overall, illegals have fed $7 billion to Social Security and $1.5 billion to Medicare. They are contributing to our wealth, not reducing it.

And what do they take from the system? According to Forbes magazine, only 10 percent of illegal Mexicans have sent a child to an American public school and just 5 percent have received food stamps or unemployment benefits. A U-Cal Davis study also shows that more immigrant workers leads to more economic growth. This is standard economics. Multiply an enlarged workforce times existing productivity and you get more economic growth.

But for some reason, immigration opponents can’t make this connection. They are blinded by fear-mongering, defeatism, and pessimism.

http://www.nationalreview.com/kudlow/kudlow200604041505.asp

[Jasman0717 9]

That would really have an affect on the other visa processes at the embassies. Manila is experiencing an over-load in professional visas because companies are willing to pay the government a preimum to process the petitions so the K types are being shoved to the background and the processing times for the K visas has increased from 60 days to 180 days. I would imagine unskilled work visas was truly have an adverse affect on the K petitions.

What did I just say

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

That would really have an affect on the other visa processes at the embassies. Manila is experiencing an over-load in professional visas because companies are willing to pay the government a preimum to process the petitions so the K types are being shoved to the background and the processing times for the K visas has increased from 60 days to 180 days. I would imagine unskilled work visas was truly have an adverse affect on the K petitions.

What did I just say

If they could lock down the border and make it easier to get H2B visas to do unskilled work in the US, I betcha you'd see a serious change in the demographic makeup of the unskilled workforce. It wouldn't be overwhelmingly Mexican, I can tell you that much.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

As long as the American boom beckons, Mexicans in search of prosperity will continue to stream to this country. They have a strong incentive to do so. The only way to reduce illegal immigration, therefore, is to raise the unskilled H-2B visa level and bring it in line with job openings in the United States. This is the only feasible economic solution to the chronic problem of illegal immigration.

I would have no problem with that. As long as these addt'l H2B visa are available to Philippinos, Poles, Turks, Algerians, Mexicans and ... you get the idea ... alike. No preferencial treatment for one group over another. And, of course, coupled with stiff penalties for those that continue to employ folks that lack such visa.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

As long as the American boom beckons, Mexicans in search of prosperity will continue to stream to this country. They have a strong incentive to do so. The only way to reduce illegal immigration, therefore, is to raise the unskilled H-2B visa level and bring it in line with job openings in the United States. This is the only feasible economic solution to the chronic problem of illegal immigration.

I would have no problem with that. As long as these addt'l H2B visa are available to Philippinos, Poles, Turks, Algerians, Mexicans and ... you get the idea ... alike. No preferencial treatment for one group over another. And, of course, coupled with stiff penalties for those that continue to employ folks that lack such visa.

[Kajikit 65]

I honestly think that the best solution is to give these people legitimate working visas... they're going to come anyway so they might as well be legal. And no, they shouldn't be 'just' for any one country or demographic grouping. A WORKING visa system would benefit the people using it too because they'd have more legal protection and less fear...

[GaryC 7]

I am sorry to take issue with you on this but the illegals COST us much more than they produce! Please read this story and see what the illegals are really doing to us!

http://www.nationalreview.com/script/print...00604040747.asp

I say we should build a big wall with barbed wire and land mines. Anyone caught here illegally should be deported without a hearing and barred for life from coming back! We have laws in this country. It is not their "right" to ignore them just because they don't like them!

I know I just set myself up as flame bait but this is how I feel about the issue.

[cmartyn 0]

The wall and landmines are too easy. We will do something much more complicated, half as effective, that costs 10 times as much. And we will all shut up and like it.

Edited April 7, 2006 by cmartyn

[Saddle Bronc 124]

May work if they use the approach to handing out H-2's that they currently use for TN-1's: have applicant take a job offer letter to the POE (or PFI) and evaluate there (which would also handle jasman's objection of overloading the consulate against K petitions).

[GaryC 7]

As long as they are documented and legal I have no problem with them coming here. I have no problem with someone wanting a better life as long as they play by the same rules everyone else plays by.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

As long as they are documented and legal I have no problem with them coming here. I have no problem with someone wanting a better life as long as they play by the same rules everyone else plays by.

Exactly!

[Saddle Bronc 124]

Which my idea of making them come to the POE/PFI with an offer letter accomplishes (just like the TN-1 applicant, it's a make-or-break).

[rebeccajo 14]

Yes. This is the modern day 'open border' that makes the most sense to me.

Edited April 7, 2006 by rebeccajo