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How on earth are immigrants who are clamoring to get into our country pulling it off then? And while still being able to send money home while they're at it? An

How on earth are immigrants who are clamoring to get into our country pulling it off then? And while still being able to send money home while they're at it? And without the benefit of our social safety nets (if here illegally)? Is their standard of living in-line with the expectations of the average American? Certainly not. Yet, they choose to risk life and limb to come here all the same. The problem, as it usually is, boils down to a gross lack of perspective. I'll stop short of calling it entitlement, but it's certainly naiveté.

crpatino 11y ago
Basically, those 2 populations exist in different economies, even if they share the same physical space: 1. US tax code makes very expensive to have people in the payroll. This was originally intended to incentivize mechanization and later automation, but shady employers can exploit the rules by paying cash-only to illegal immigrants and save a lot of money, even if their take home pay is equal or better than that of citizens. 2. It is very expensive to raise a family while complying with US rules. You can have your children taken away if you fail to comply with any of that. Many illegal immigrants shortcut through that issue by leaving their families behind and living like frugal single men. Even those that immigrate as full families are already used to breaking the rules, and since they already face deportation if caught they do not fear doing without with "necessities" like cars, up-to-code housing, child care, etc. 3. Communities matter a lot. Poor citizens are every man for his own more often than not. Arriving illegal immigrants, typically in their teens or early twenties, usually can count on having relatives or former neighbors take care of their needs (which amount to little beyond room&board) while they find their footing in the country. They will later pay it forward.
- marknutter 11y ago
  And? The point is, people can and do survive on minimum wage or below and there are droves of people willing to do so, even if it means risking their lives for the opportunity.

crpatino 11y ago

Basically, those 2 populations exist in different economies, even if they share the same physical space: 1. US tax code makes very expensive to have people in the payroll. This was originally intended to incentivize mechanization and later automation, but shady employers can exploit the rules by paying cash-only to illegal immigrants and save a lot of money, even if their take home pay is equal or better than that of citizens. 2. It is very expensive to raise a family while complying with US rules. You can have your children taken away if you fail to comply with any of that. Many illegal immigrants shortcut through that issue by leaving their families behind and living like frugal single men. Even those that immigrate as full families are already used to breaking the rules, and since they already face deportation if caught they do not fear doing without with "necessities" like cars, up-to-code housing, child care, etc. 3. Communities matter a lot. Poor citizens are every man for his own more often than not. Arriving illegal immigrants, typically in their teens or early twenties, usually can count on having relatives or former neighbors take care of their needs (which amount to little beyond room&board) while they find their footing in the country. They will later pay it forward.

marknutter 11y ago
And? The point is, people can and do survive on minimum wage or below and there are droves of people willing to do so, even if it means risking their lives for the opportunity.