Immigrants do work that Americans won't do??

Question

This is a commonly held argument to support liberal immigration policy, especially toward illegals.
Personally, I am in favor of letting just about any law abiding, well intentioned person into America. However, I think this 'work we won't do' is a bogus argument.
American's dig ditches, wallow in fish guts, clean out chemical toilets...

There's no such thing as a job an American won't do, only Wages and Working Conditions americans won't Accept!

So, if immigrants do work for less money and worse conditions, isn't it really true that immigrants just drive down wages??

Answer 1

Immigrants do not do work that Americans won't. Legal immigrants sometime do work that there aren't enough Americans /able/ to do, or, more often, simply do work a little cheaper (generally because they are younger, and taking less experienced positions).

Illegal immigrants, OTOH, do work /much/ cheaper than legal employees of any kind. Not just in terms of wages, which often aren't a lot lower, but in terms of the cost of compliance to labor-protection laws (since they're very presence is illegal, they're unwilling to report you to OSHA for unsafe working conditions).

Answer 2

In many countries minimun wage is more than enough to survive and live comfortably and have extra luxuries. Different countries have different standards set by thier politicians. For example, a tomatoe is a tomatoe no matter how you grow it by why doe it cost 2.99$ in US and in other countries it only costs 10 cents? A pack of cigarttes average cost is $4 in US while in other countries that same pack costs 1.50$. The list goes on from food to the electrical goods. Why do Americans have to pay 2 or 3 times extra for the same goods? That extra charging is needless and if you were charged exactly for what you were getting, you would all be more than happy to work minimum wage because it'll get you what you want. But too bad Americans have to be climbing steep hills for a lifetime to get their 62 inch HD tv for thousands while others get it for way less. "Its'a higher wages or nothing." What a motto.

Answer 3

Your right about Americans doing any job if the wage is fair. Immigrants do drive down wages and that's why people like them. They keep our businesses and economy competitive. Immigration can be a blessing or a curse depending on your socio-economical status. For your average Joe, it's a screw, but for anyone well educated or in control of a business it's a bargain.

Answer 4

Possibly, except that fruit farms would have a hard time hiring Americans at wages they think they deserve (even though they are unskilled labor, and therefore, deserve whatever they can get) and still keep the price of their crop low enought that the rest of us will by them.

Answer 5

I agree with you. There is no job that Americans WON'T do. There are plenty of jobs that Americans won't do at the low wages the undocumented do.

If picking tobacco or washing dishes paid $40 an hour, there would be lots of Americans willing to do it.

Answer 6

Yes..If someone will do the job for half what someone else will, and so on..Do you not think that I would rather hire a group for alot less money..Driving down wages..

Answer 7

you are so right. thanks for posting the truth. and yes they drive down wages. in 10 years we will be nothing and illegals will run to their home country leaving us to fix the mess they created.

Answer 8

You got it.

Answer 9

Since that's logical and makes sense, you must be racist. (tongue in cheek).