Economics of Immigration: why are people opposed?

[Jon Miller]

I agree with Ramo.

JM

[Rasputin]

[Drogue]

Originally posted by Oerdin
The EU, former USSR, NAFTA, Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand would all qualify based on income. Chile, Uruguay, and Argentia might as well. This would benifet everyone in all of those countries (except possibly the least skilled/poorest people in recieving countries who won't welcome newcomers competiting for his janitorial job).

Wait, Chile might but the former USSR definitely would? You realise Chile's probably quite a bit richer than much of Eastern Europe? I'm up for the Australian or Canadian method - economic immigration by skills. They have a points system that ranks people's skills, age, background, work experience, etc. Basically everything needed to be a productive member of society. From a developed world point of view, I think it's the best for our country. From a global efficiency point of view, the author is right and labour mobility is a great thing.

[GePap]

I would love free borders, but political considerations ALWAYS trump economic ones. People who think humans are economic animals are wrong, people are political animals.

[Drogue]

Even economically I don't think it makes sense for the developed countries.

[Patroklos]

NAFTA has a member that doesn't not qualify givin your requirements.

Immigration should be requlated by skill set.

[Dinner]

Mexico's per capita income in PPP terms is $10,000 per year. That's a pretty good number in global terms. Their not wealthy but they're certainly in the middle in economic terms. The US and Mexico are similiar to say Germany and Poland; Poland seems to be doing just fine in the EU.

[Kropotkin]

It seems to have worked well in the EU though I notice that many EU states are slapping restrictions on migration from new member states. I find that sad.

In many chases there's no need immigration barriers against economic migrants nowadays, between developed world at least. There's a lot of other laws, customs and regulations that de facto stops economic mass migration.

Sweden decided against restricting the labour force of new member states. Haven't been a problem at all thus far. Woun't be either as long as the european court doesn't decide to outlaw the swedish system for setting wages and deals between labour and capital.

There where some concern with something nicked "social tourism" where people from the new states would move to Sweden in an effort to take advantage of the welfare system. As far as I know, hardly nobody did so. Imagine being a poor polish unemployed worker, moving north (cold), finding a place to live (hard), being able to pay the first rent (hardly swedes can) and then manage to get on social welfare with nothing but a polish passport and an apartement (good luck!).

[Drake Tungsten]

I'm up for the Australian or Canadian method - economic immigration by skills. They have a points system that ranks people's skills, age, background, work experience, etc. Basically everything needed to be a productive member of society.

I'd love to see this kind of system instituted in America. Our current immigration situation is ridiculous...

[Dinner]

Skill set migration helps but whole sale migration would do more to contain wage pressure.

[Drogue]

You're ignoring long-term concerns to try and keep inflation down? The key here is sustainability. The fed could keep inflation at 0, if they wanted to, without any immigration, however that would be unsustainable. As the immigration is too. The issue is not one of keep economic variables at some level in the short term, it's about ensuring long-term stability.

[Solly]

Originally posted by Rasputin
Yes open al lthe borders...

Wil lbring costs of labour down !!!

Ok if you're upper-middle- or upper-class.

[Solly]

Originally posted by Patroklos


Immigration should be requlated by skill set.

How would one define a skills shortage, and alternatively when should wages be able to rise in the host country in order to cope with that shortage?

[Drogue]

Not by skills shortage, IMHO, but by skill set. Ie. skilled workers get in, those who require asylum get in, everyone else doesn't. Skilled workers could just be a level of education (a degree perhaps), a job offer in a skilled or professional occupation, etc. That means people who get in either need to be here for their safety or will be contributing to the country, economically.

[Jon Miller]

Originally posted by Dis
I just want more mexican women in my city. My city has a serious imbalance of males to females, because not enough mexican women are coming over.

Seriously though, this is a problem in that all the money they make is being shipped back to Mexico. It's not staying within the local economy. I would prefer they be permanent residents and move their family here.

I agree with this. Don't just come here to work, bring your family and become a member of soceity.

JM