CNNMoney: Illegal workers: Boon for U.S. economy

[DeepModem Mom]

Illegal workers: Boon for U.S. economy
The U.S. has benefited from illegal immigrants, most economists say, though some low-skilled workers have been hurt.
By Chris Isidore, CNNMoney.com senior writer
May 1, 2006

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) - In the heated debate over the impact of illegal immigration on the U.S. economy, Andrew Sum is one of those focusing on the negative.

The economist - the director of labor market studies at Northeastern University in Boston - argues that the large supply of immigrants has displaced low-skilled U.S.-born workers, particularly the young and the poor, from jobs.

"About 85.5 of every 100 new workers are new immigrants in this decade," he said. "At no time in the last 60 years have we come close to this. They're really displacing young workers at a very high rate."

But even Sum would concede that the U.S. economy is larger, and growing faster, due to the supply of illegal immigrants, and that most Americans with higher job skills are better off for their presence.

"Without the immigrants, we would have a decline in labor force of 3 to 4 percent," he said. "We couldn't have grown nearly as much as we did in the '90s if we didn't have immigrants. And in the last few years our growth would have been slower. The only thing I've argued is that we've ignored that illegal immigration has put a lot of young adults into economic jeopardy."...

http://money.cnn.com/2006/05/01/news/economy/immigration_economy/index.htm?cnn=yes

[kenny blankenship]

1. Oh yes. Unless you happen to be a worker already living here

If on the other hand you work in upper middle class white collar positions, or one of the "noble professions" of law or medicine, or were born to a family that makes its livelihood from capital ownership, or real estate then yes an endless supply of impoverished workers is great for your bottom line. Especially if you don't give a damn about the fate of all those Americans below your social class.

[0007]

2. What a fucking crock of shit!

How can these assholes put that propaganda out with a straight face?

The dollar is falling faster than junior's poll numbers and inflation is rearing its ugly head at the gas pump and at food on the table.

Then there is always the scab that will work for less.