Nightmare for the Minuteman

Reader's Digest gathered that there are 11 million illegal immigrants in the United States now, with estimated 700,000 illegal aliens entering every year, mainly across the Mexican border! I heard that this (Spring season) is a busy time for the Coyotes! No wonder that hardly anyone knows about the 65,000 quota for annual H1-B Visas! I came across this interesting proposal that is being considered by Mexico.

MEXICO CITY - Mexican officials are studying the possibility of giving global positioning systems to migrants thinking about crossing the border into the United States. Supporters of the idea say they could be used to help the Border Patrol agents locate migrants in trouble. Hundreds of Mexicans are killed each year trying to sneak illegally into the United States. Some drown, while others die in the heat.

A Mexican university is developing the locators, which would be given to migrants for free. U.S. officials haven't signed off on the plan. Anti-immigration groups have criticized similar efforts to help migrants, but Mexican officials deny it will encourage illegal migration.

Source: thebta.org

I believe that illegal immigration at this scale is negatively affecting the US economy. Some argue that the illegal workers take up only those jobs that the Americans refuse to do. I don't think so. I think that the illegal immigrants have glutted the labor market and drove the wages down significantly. So, if someone wants to take up a job say in crop picking or a meat processing plant, they should be prepared to reduce their living standard significantly.

A small example? Cheapest haircut used to cost around $11 in Austin a few years ago. Now, I see signs that say haircuts from $5.50 and up. Think of a hair stylist who bought a house with a 30-yr mortgage, assuming that he/she would be making at least $15/hr (on an average)?

I will agree if someone says that illegal immigration is OK from humanitarian stand point - giving hard working people a chance to better their lives. But I find it hard to accept if someone says that illegal immigration is good for the economy. Sure, we may pay a few dollars less for a haircut but we get shafted with higher taxes that are needed to provide health care and education to the people who don't pay taxes (mostly, illegal immigrants).

A Random quote: The main goal of the future is to stop violence. The world is addicted to it. - Bill Cosby