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> Probably none. Most illegal immigrants don’t work manufacturing. You say that as if the jobs taken by illegals exist in some alternate universe where simple

> Probably none. Most illegal immigrants don’t work manufacturing. You say that as if the jobs taken by illegals exist in some alternate universe where simple economic principles don't apply. If an illegal immigrant's job is vacant (because he couldn't enter the country) and a would-be manufacturing worker fills that job, that obviously has a direct impact on the manufacturer's ability to hire that worker. He's no longer looking for a job because he filled a vacancy left by an illegal immigrant.

Xylakant 9y ago
This makes little sense. Illegal immigrants usually occupy the least qualified and least-paid jobs. Few persons that are qualified to apply for a manufacturing would rather apply for a job that an illegal immigrant could get.
- gthtjtkt 9y ago
  Do the illegal immigrants take those jobs because they pay so little, or do those jobs pay so little because there has always been a steady supply of illegal immigrants desperate to fill them at below-market prices? If your business model relies on wages being suppressed by those illegal workers, then maybe your business deserves to go bankrupt when the supply dries up and Americans start demanding $15/hour.
  - erikpukinskis 9y ago
    First off, these businesses typically don’t “rely on” those wages, the owner is just taking a $20k bonus because they can and they like money. Undocumented workers take the jobs because there is no financial incentive for an owner to risk breaking the law unless they are getting cash back. The worker is basically paying their employer to break the law.
    - gthtjtkt 9y ago
      So you're saying they pocket the difference rather than using reduced overhead to maintain competitive prices? Interesting hypothesis... I was under the impression that many farmers operate on thin margins these days.
      - erikpukinskis 9y ago
        Certainly there is a segment that are close to bankruptcy but most are profitable.

Xylakant 9y ago

This makes little sense. Illegal immigrants usually occupy the least qualified and least-paid jobs. Few persons that are qualified to apply for a manufacturing would rather apply for a job that an illegal immigrant could get.

gthtjtkt 9y ago
Do the illegal immigrants take those jobs because they pay so little, or do those jobs pay so little because there has always been a steady supply of illegal immigrants desperate to fill them at below-market prices? If your business model relies on wages being suppressed by those illegal workers, then maybe your business deserves to go bankrupt when the supply dries up and Americans start demanding $15/hour.
- erikpukinskis 9y ago
  First off, these businesses typically don’t “rely on” those wages, the owner is just taking a $20k bonus because they can and they like money. Undocumented workers take the jobs because there is no financial incentive for an owner to risk breaking the law unless they are getting cash back. The worker is basically paying their employer to break the law.
  - gthtjtkt 9y ago
    So you're saying they pocket the difference rather than using reduced overhead to maintain competitive prices? Interesting hypothesis... I was under the impression that many farmers operate on thin margins these days.
    - erikpukinskis 9y ago
      Certainly there is a segment that are close to bankruptcy but most are profitable.