So you think the "wars" cost money...

[AzX5]

Originally Posted by Krimson X

It is offensive, however, to know that the gov't had a plan to rid the country of illegal immigrants (Mexicans) called "operation wetback" or any other "operation (insert derrogatory ethinc term here)."

What further disturbs me is that members of this board beileve it would be just fine to employ that same tactic today. I agree, too, with Dannyell, that most jobs held by illegal immigrants are not wanted by most unemployed Americans. Who wants to pick asparagus, clean toilets, sell newspapers on interstate exit ramps, pour asphalt and finish concrete in the dead of winter or heat of summer. More importantly, most citizens would not work those jobs for what I consider to be abhorrent wages. Thus, deporting all Mexican nationals would do little to curb Americas unemployment problem.

While I agree with most of what you are saying, part of the reason that the "abhorrent wages" exist in the first place is because of the practice of hiring illegal aliens for those jobs. Construction work, for example, probably paid as much pay 30 years ago as it does today due to the influx of illegal aliens willing to do the job for lower and lower pay, which forced out many Americans for the less-skilled jobs.

In fact, 30 years ago I was picking strawberries and cucumbers in the fields with plenty of other Americans willing to do the job. I doubt the pay is much different today than it was back then, so yes only illegal aliens are willing to work those jobs today. Get rid of the illegal aliens, and I guarantee that wages will begin creeping up to acceptable levels for unemployed Americans.

[Krimson X]

Originally Posted by AzX5

While I agree with most of what you are saying, part of the reason that the "abhorrent wages" exist in the first place is because of the practice of hiring illegal aliens for those jobs. Construction work, for example, probably paid as much pay 30 years ago as it does today due to the influx of illegal aliens willing to do the job for lower and lower pay, which forced out many Americans for the less-skilled jobs.

In fact, 30 years ago I was picking strawberries and cucumbers in the fields with plenty of other Americans willing to do the job. I doubt the pay is much different today than it was back then, so yes only illegal aliens are willing to work those jobs today. Get rid of the illegal aliens, and I guarantee that wages will begin creeping up to acceptable levels for unemployed Americans.

I think it also has a lot to do with the cost of doing business. What is the profit margin for a strawberry farmer? Could he afford to pay someone to pick his berries for $7.50 an hour? Or, better yet, could we as consumers afford to pay for a carton of strawberries picked by someone making $7.50 an hour? How much labor costs are built into the market price?

Similarly, instead of paying $100 to $150 per sq/ft for a home built by lower wage construction workers, would you be willing to pay $175 to $250 per sq/ft for the same home because of the increase in labor costs?

[Dannyell]

Originally Posted by AzX5

In fact, 30 years ago I was picking strawberries and cucumbers in the fields with plenty of other Americans willing to do the job. I doubt the pay is much different today than it was back then, so yes only illegal aliens are willing to work those jobs today. Get rid of the illegal aliens, and I guarantee that wages will begin creeping up to acceptable levels for unemployed Americans.

Might work but unlikely...today's society is much different than 30 yrs ago.

Expelling them in the ways described above would be sort of like shooting ourselves in the foot plain and simple...

People that come here from Mexico to work...legal or not have an advantage...they have met lower work environments and pay...Even tho for our standards here it is not much...to them it's food on the table for the family back home struggling even worse.

It disgusts me to hear every now and then how some employer calls authorities on illegal immigrants right before they have to pay them for the work...These people themselves should be arrested...