What is the big deal with immigration?

Question

I think that the immigration debate does not make sense. Why do people want a fence on the border? I think that will accomplish only 3 things: 1) shift migration to another area or to other methods, 2) upset people who have land on the border, 3) damage the flora and fauna of the region. It won't accomplish the goal of ending illegal immigration.

What people don't understand is that the border is a greater region with an arbitrary line through it. Millions cross legally everyday to and from both sides. Also, if people are crossing illegally, they are doing so for a reason. I would argue that the benefits of cheap labor far outweigh the costs of providing them social services (which generally they don't use, but their kids do - mostly health care and education).

My dad was a farmer in south TX - he could not have run his business paying farm workers $10 or even $5.85 an hour, plus social security, medicare, etc... You tell me how agriculture in the U.S. would survive.

re: tlb

Yes, my dad's farm is a subdivision now. It wasn't because of labor costs, though, but because of the general instability of agriculture. 2+ years of bad weather will wipe you out. But most of the problems you speak of can be attributed to NAFTA

Answer 1

the problem is not immigration. the problem is ILLEGAL immigration.
if i owned a business and could not afford to pay my workers i would have to do the work myself.... sorry about your farm, but your father was not legally employing his workers either. he was committing a crime!
most of the illegals are not out picking vegetables either!!!! and while I'm at it i have a question for you. has an illegal ever used your social security number???? had him ruin your credit???? perhaps if one had done that to you you wouldn't be so soft on the illegals being here!!!

Answer 2

It should not be a big deal if most illegal immigrants would appreciate what the U.S gives to them in this case a job and yes agriculture would survive, it would be more pricey but it will be a legal how it should be. Think about it if illegals are good workers why is it that there country's don't prosper like the U.S.

Answer 3

Problem solving 101

1.The benefits of cheap illegal labor
a. helps a very few make more money
b. keeps the price of some produce down
2. The costs of cheap illegal labor
a. our infrastructure is triple what it should be
b. our schools are over crowded
c. urban sprawl is out of control. that means your daddy's farm is probably houses now
d. our countries national parks are over crowded beyond description.
e. for every 7 illegal aliens who gain employment 1 American citizen looses his or her job
f. wage depression of blue collar worker


on and on I could go



EDIT: I would argue that NAFTA is the reason for the huge influx of illegal aliens in this country. So, on that point we agree. We would agree on the fence being built. It would be a waste of money IF we do not enforce our laws. We need to enforce the laws, and then build a fence.

Answer 4

A wall, though perhaps not the best solution, WOULD help the problem of illegal immigration - that's why the illegal criminals are so scared of it.

As for property rights and flora/fauna - get real. The ecological balance is not going to be greatly disturbed because of a single line dividing countries.

And if it is? It will not really be the American's fault - who strived to protect their own borders, but the illegals who didn't care about anything except for infiltrating their beloved "Aztland".

Answer 5

How many times do people have to be told the definition of "illegal". It means "BREAKING THE LAW" and we usually try to catch the criminal and prosecute them. The fact that so many of them have broken the law ( many of them more than once) is no excuse for not prosecuting. I'm sure that the agriculture industry would have survived with out illegal labor (hell, some are getting Government subsidies for not growing). Most of these illegals are not paying taxes, using our social services at our expense, exploiting the work force and in general costing the taxpayer money.

Answer 6

You must not give a d@mn about this country. With the rate of illegals that are popping over the border and mass producing, how can you say that is not hurting us? It's taking it's toll on the Middle Class citizen and good, hardworking Americans are losing their jobs because they aren't worth as much as they used to be.

My grandfather was a farmer and he NEVER had to hire and illegal immigrant to work for him. He worked his @$$ off to help his American employees to get the job done. We don't need a bunch of freeloading illegals feeding off the system anymore. They are overpopulating our country and we are trying to build and build and build to keep up with it.

And who CARES what the people say who have land near the border? This is about national security!

Answer 7

I dont agree with the fence thing. I think the cost of building the fence would be outrageous and people will find other ways to get here. However, there are so many unemployed americans in this country because of all the illegal immigrants taking their jobs. If farmers can not afford to pay an american fairly for their hard work, they have no right to run a business in this country.

Answer 8

With all of the subsidies that you get and tax breaks, yes, you COULD afford to pay people that much!

Most illegal aliens which work for farmers and ranchers don't pay taxes anyway so it is a cop out that you state that that do!

Answer 9

The small farm or ranch doesn't need mass employees, if you have more then you can handle, sell the amount that's too much for you.

Answer 10

"You tell me how agriculture in the U.S. would survive."

Simple... we'd do what all industrialized, modernized nations have done - MODERNIZE our AGRICULTURE INDUSTRY!!!!!!

Have you honestly not seen the back-&-forth discussions proving time and again that good automation in ag-applications costs a fraction what labor costs?