How to Find the Empirical Truth About Immigration Policy

By Joe Phelps

Chairman/Founder – Getting Better Foundation

According to various dependable sources, the estimated number of undocumented immigrants in the U.S. is between 10MM and 12MM.   There are 340MM U.S. citizens.  That computes to illegal immigrants being approximately 3% of our population.  Does that surprise you?

Even though Latin America is the main contributor, there are illegal immigrants from all around the world in the U.S.  Many have been here for decades and most add to our productivity – often performing jobs that our main populace doesn’t want to do. Contrary to what is indicated in some of the news we read, illegal immigrants coming across our southern border index lower than our own citizens for crimes committed.

Overall and historically, Hispanics have contributed to our economy in many ways – some of which may not be obvious.  For example, over the past decades, the U.S. has become a country where both adult domestic partners are employed outside the home.  This arrangement wouldn’t work nearly as well if the parents couldn’t find help to raise their children.  Day schools are populated with Hispanic teachers. Hispanics are also integral to supporting our agricultural, construction and domestic work. They provide a large percentage of our domestic custodians, gardeners, brick masons, plumbers, and other skilled trades.  Do you think our general population aspires to do the basic services that Hispanic immigrants supply?

Hispanic immigrants are most often in their late teens to early 30’s.  The average age of U.S. citizens is much older — 38 years.  In general, immigrants crossing the border are young and motivated to be productive in search of a new lifestyle.

Alternatively, affluent Hispanic Americans, characterized by high household incomes, generally defined as $125,000 or more, are a growing segment of the US population. This family-oriented group is increasingly influencing American culture and spending habits in positive ways.

One task of Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) is to reduce illegal drug traffic.  There are two main strategies for this:

1. Invest in drug education to increase awareness of the dangers and therefore reduce demand for the longer term.  (A reduction in demand usually equates to reduction in supply – negating the need for as much law enforcement)  Or…
2. Increase the expense of law enforcement to prevent border smuggling?

Of course, both are necessary.  Which do you think should be our primary strategy?   Investment in education?  Or expense of supporting a large police force?

Now that you know these facts about our illegal immigrant population, how do you feel about the plan to deport 10MM illegal immigrants?  What justifies the goal?

Here’s an example worthy of more thought: Why do you think the administration is building a $500,000,000 prison in the Everglades specifically for Hispanic immigrants?  Who benefits most from this $500MM revenue stream? (Consider the power of the penitentiary industrial complex.) Could this $500MM be used for better purposes?

Why do you think ICE’s budget is significantly larger now than it’s ever been?

Reliable, balanced reporting is key to quelling polarization in our society.  For your welfare and those you love, you might consider pondering these questions: