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It is true that the US has a very large illegal immigrant population, but a very large portion of them are migrant agricultural workers, and previous analysis b
by Baeocystin 10y ago
It is true that the US has a very large illegal immigrant population, but a very large portion of them are migrant agricultural workers, and previous analysis by the state of California has worked out that the state receives a net benefit from their labor, even including ER/medical care visits.
This may not hold for other forms of immigrant/refugee, but the agricultural laborers are a net boon to the state.
- ThomPete 10y agoI have no doubt, but how do you deal with it? Thats the question. How do you determine how is a net benefit for the country and who isn't?
- Baeocystin 10y agoIt is not a question with an easy answer. In general, people that come here to work are a net benefit, as they provide cheap labor, and spend much of their income locally. But this is only speaking in broad swaths. http://www.wsj.com/articles/immigration-does-more-good-than-harm-to-economy-study-finds-1474568991 http://www.wsj.com/articles/immigration-does-more-good-than-... For a good start on reading material.
- DrScump 10y agoAgriculture employs only a tiny percentage of those here illegally. In fact, many agricultural workers come in legally on H2-A visas.
- Baeocystin 10y agoAg work in general is only a few percent, sure, but look at the %/industry. Here in California, for example, ~45% of ag workers are estimated to be here illegally. Similar percentages are in construction, and other manual labor jobs. Also keep in mind that the job descriptions of this migrant population are fluid- who is counted as agricultural vs. construction, etc. changes by season and state.