February 19, 2017

How Trump's immigration policy would hurt the economy

The Hill - Approximately 40 percent of all undocumented workers are employed in agriculture, construction, and leisure and hospitality. Studies have concluded that mass deportation would significantly hit the U.S. gross domestic product. One such study from Cato Institute in 2012 found that a mass deportation policy would reduce economic growth by around $250 billion per year.

Instead of investing in our infrastructure, or spending more on educating our youth and investing in more job training for U.S. citizens, Trump has made it priority number one to spend on deportations.

More than $20 billion for a border wall, hiring many more border patrol and ICE agents, and reducing legal immigration channels. This will result in potentially millions going underground seeking sanctuary, children not attending school, skilled workers unable to legally enter the U.S. and incentivizing businesses to leave or set up offshore. 

Over the past decade we have already witnessed the devastating economic impact that immigrant crackdown policies have on cities and states.

Take, for example, 2011 when Georgia passed an immigrant enforcement law, the agricultural industry was hit hardest with many crops rotting due to lack of workers. These restrictive policies make our country less secure as we will witness diminished communication between the immigrant population and law enforcement.

Winners: The private prison industry, wall construction contractors and maybe some newly-hired ICE and border patrol agents.

Losers: The rest of us.

1 comment:

Evelyn said...

I closed my eyes after reading this blog. What amazing feeling. I wish to experience even 1 time. Thanks for your sharing. current events