The Immigration Equation

Many US opponents to immigration base their opinions on worries that immigrants pose competition for struggling unskilled workers already earning low wages. Economist George Borjas, a native-born Cuban who immigrated to the US in 1962, has compiled empirical evidence showing that the influx of unskilled, undocumented workers into the US does threaten working-class Americans, particularly those without high school diplomas. Canadian labor economist David Card refutes Borjas’ claims, stating that much of the labor performed by undocumented Latin American workers in the US would otherwise be done by machines and not native-born workers, who increasingly reject dangerous or low-paying jobs. With 21 million working immigrants in the US and only 7 million unemployed, Card suggests that immigrants may actually create jobs that previously did not exist as opposed to stealing jobs from native-born laborers. More workers, according to Card, stimulate the economy, as consumers and competitors. Author Roger Lowenstein reveals that xenophobia and racism rather than rational economic evidence support proposed US anti-immigration policies. The economy absorbs most immigrants, although uneducated workers probably do pay a small price. Ultimately, Lowenstein concludes that the public and politicians could set more specific social and economic goals in pursuing any immigration policy. – YaleGlobal