Underpaid migrant farmworkers

That article is not representative of the situation overall in the U.S. It refers to a local situation in Florida where illegals were getting aid from the government after the hurricane, which, according to the business owners, was taking away their incentive to work. It's an example of an externality that made the market behave in a way it normally wouldn't.

 

Oh yes, because I'm sure you used to work in fields and slaughter houses all day.

 

mexicans dont put money into the economy like americans do. and they dont pay taxes.

 

Money sent back to illegal, or even legal, immigrants' country of origin is the number 1 or number 2 largest cash inflow into those countries. In mexico, I believe it's number 2 after oil. In guatemala it's number 1. Not only is this money LEAVING the economy, lowering the gdp and tax revenue, but these illegal workers drive down the wages of the jobs they do here, illegally, to artificially low levels. All this cash keeps their own corrupt governments afloat and perpetuates the cycle of poverty and despair. It maintains their home countries' economies and governments, without the country having to produce anything, except more bodies to fill illegal labor positions.

Everyone says, they do the work americans won't. That's true, when it pays below minimum wage. If it paid in accordance with US wage scales, americans would do the work. The illegals bring it on themselves coming here illegally (which is a felony). If they had papers, they would be in a position to command a better wage. I don't know of anywhere that would hesitate to hire a legal hispanic immigrant; in fact most places would be happy too. There is no question they have a good work ethic, in general.

The way to stop this-enforce all existing immigration laws, prosecute all employers of illegal immigrants to the fullest extent allowed, including seizing assets and imprisonment. Deport all illegal immigrants discovered and severely sanction all countries, such as mexico, which actively encourage illegal immigration. Will this ever happen? Not a chance. The republicrats and demicans have too much interest in maintaining illegal immigration into this country. Bush, "Mr Homeland Security" cut the amount of new border patrol agents by 80 percent what congress authorized. Even CONGRESS is starting to get it, but not "wit'us or agin'us" Bush. It doesn't matter who's in charge though, as long as the status quo is mainatined. I'm sure kerry would be just as much an abomination.

If this continues unabated, people will rise up. It is beginning to happen already. This is not only an economic and social issue, but one of national security (not only mexicans cross the border illegally).

 

^^ agreed

 

Here in South Jersey, We've got blueberries. I saw a group of migrants working the fields, they were from Haiti. They work a few months and go back to thier country for the winter, They make $10 Hr off-the-books.

They even had a porta john in the field to relieve themselves.
Its real tough in Haiti.

The Mexicans overwinter and bring thier families, they do construction and work in every restaurant kitchen.

When I was a child (the early 60's) and it was blueberry pickin time, there were
a lot less immigrants. They would bring out a school bus from skid-row in Philadelphia for the day. When the work was finished at days end, the bus would pull up to a big liquor store near my home, at the Cherry Hill circle and the day laborers would make purchases for the evening.

 

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