Will a hike in minimum wage affect illegal immigration?

Question

Would this be an incentive for an increase in Mexicans across our borders...(not like anything is stopping them now)

Answer 1

Since illegals will work below the going rate - I see such as an incentive for their being MORE coming over - encouraged by companies that are not now obeying the immigration law and lowering wages with the government only now starting to address some of those companies that are breaking the law by employment of illegals.

First we need to address the problems with the illegal invasion that this country is facing because of lack of enforcement of immigration code. When that is addressed - THEN do something about the minimum wage.

Answer 2

NO. Whether you increase or decrease the minimum wage... illegal immigration will still increase. Also, minimum wage is a mandate by the State, and those who benefit the minimum wage law are mostly LEGAL workers, not ILLEGAL workers. ILLEGAL immigrants cross the border not because they hear it from the news that California just increased the minimum wage. They cross the border for the most compelling reason: to have a better life in general. Minimum wage is on a very small fraction or factor of the whole perspective on the illegal immigration problem. Matter of fact, the most "welcoming" factor are the laws that favor illegal immigrants - for example: If George Bush will sign a law that will provide amnesty to illegal immigrants - then that will definitely lure more and more people to cross the border. Since this administration under George Bush and the Republicans favor (or love) illegal immigrants, then we are in deep trouble when they start making laws to provide a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants. So you ask - a hike in minimum wage affects illegal immigration? Nah... hardly a factor at all.

Cheers!

Answer 3

No, Because many do not get paid Minimum Wage, now the whole basis of illegal Immigration is that they do the jobs we don't want to do the problem is not that there immigrants, its that they have done something illegal, in this case its crossing the border illegally therefore a felony and therefore a criminal

Answer 4

The United States of America or any country for that matter shouldn't a minimum wage law, let alone a minimum wage that is quite high.

Employers who can't afford to pay minimum wage go for those who are willing to illegaly work under minimum wage. So there will be more illegal workers if the minimum wage is raised, whether they be locals or immigrants.

Then there's also matter of the lack of people, the United States of America is currently underpopulated, so it need the extra people. Suffice to say having a birth control program and a waiting list to become legal immigrants aren't helping.

Answer 5

well if the businessman hiring illegals was smart and they wanted to get a raise up to the minimum wage, he should just say, no speak spanish. no minimum wage increase for illegals. work for the mexican minimum wage 1 dollar an hour, or a case of frozen burritos. just like back home.

Answer 6

Anything is an incentive for illegals from Mexico. There will be many more flooding us very soon unless there is more done to protect us from them. They have already driven down the wages that our American employers are willing to pay our skilled and educated workers! When NAFTA is in it's final stage in 2008 the flood gates will be open to Mexican drivers to enter the U.S. bringing with them many more troubles for the U.S.

Answer 7

To reduce immigration, we need to be working more with the effected countries. More needs to be done to create effective trade relations with so that we mutually benefit and current Mexico residents see less of a reason to join the mass exodus. Whether that we aid them in restructuring their infrastructure or create benefit packages with industries that do international trade. Raising the minimum wage would be nice and I really don't see it creating a mass stampede, but rather it creates more inflation sadly. The more money that is circulating in our system, the less purchasing power it provides. And the current situation isn't ideal either. Rather what we need to do as a society is conserve more. Consuming less not only conserves resources, but in the long term saves money equaling in more disposable income.

Answer 8

Yes. If [and it seems certain] that Congress grants amnesty to the current 12 million+ illegal immigrants, the current employers will be not be able to afford them. Ergo, they will get "another" crop of illegals to do the jobs "Americans" won't do.

Answer 9

I would think it would increase illegal immigrants but it might also make some work a little more at becoming legal.

Answer 10

no, minimum wage is nation wide, the govt figures if company's are having to pay the wage, why do we need illegals. that's why they are cracking down on illegals.