You're crossing streams a little bit. Both workers and companies want what's good for them, that's not so much 'selfish'. Noting is really 'artificial' in thi

You're crossing streams a little bit. Both workers and companies want what's good for them, that's not so much 'selfish'. Noting is really 'artificial' in this either, it's all market forces, though one might argue that the 'off the books' labour is to some extent an artificial impetus. If 'cheap undocumented labour' were not available, yes, you are right, more automation would come into play, but that doesn't imply it would all be automated, as much of it cannot. Most likely outcome would be: 1) a lot of farming is simply unsustainable in any case, and it moves to Mexico. This is good thing however as it provides jobs at wages upon which people can have a normal life there, and helps expand their economy. 2) full automation in some areas for net lost jobs 3) partial automation in others (machinery is always getting smarter and better even if it doesn't fully automate) and 4) high paying jobs for the crops that can maintain margin. But it's all moot: there's a reason nations have laws, citizenship, constitutions etc. and having people live and work on the black market without legal wages, health insurance, worker's rights, etc. etc. is self defeating. It'd be better to play by the rules - either enforce the laws as they exist, or enact an 'above board' migrant workers program (i.e. short term visas) for workers to come so they don't have to hide in the shadows and can have at least some kind of labour protection which everyone should have.