Opus 2017-322: On the Street: Self Deportation

What is happening with immigration?  Whatever it is, it is touching people in their every day lives.  We had a man doing some painting at our house.  He was an American born man of Mexican extraction.  I did not ask him if he spoke Spanish.  He was having a hard time keeping up with the work demand.  He blamed it on the deportations ordered by President Trump.  I pointed out that the only ones being arrested and deported were those with criminal histories.  He agreed.  He also agreed that people are going back to Mexico because of fear of deportation.  It seems all we need to do is get people to believe we will enforce existing law.  Meanwhile, all the people he used to hire are leaving.

I talked about the situation with our general contractor.  He said he tried not to hire illegals but claimed he sometimes had no choice.  When I pressed him on it he admitted that the problem was not a lack of Americans willing to do the job but finding Americans willing to work for what he wanted to pay.  That highlights why so many in business are for open borders:  Cheap labor.  If the Latino population that came legally would just pay attention they would realize that the threat posed by illegal immigration is also aimed at their jobs.  A hungry guy on the street corner will be willing to work for less than someone who has a mortgage.

If we can reduce the number of illegals working there will be two results.  First, it will provide more jobs for American citizens.  Second, it will raise wages.  In reality I can afford to pay a little more for a painter or to have my oil changed.  I might need to eat at home a little more often but it would improve the lives across the board.

Build the wall.  Enforce the law.  Arrest the criminals.  Cut off the benefits.  Watch the rest self deport.  It will work.

homo unius libri