And prices for much of what we buy would instantly double. The US is addicted to cheap immigrant labor for a huge number of jobs that Americans largely aren’t willing so do.
> The US is addicted to cheap immigrant labor for a huge number of jobs that Americans largely aren’t willing so do.
Maybe more like "business owners are 'addicted' to paying cheaper wages that only immigrants from poor countries are willing to do at the offered rate."
For better or worse, US consumers are addicted to the low prices those low wages enable. Just look at how upset people are at the relatively modest inflation of the past four years. Thats nothing compared to the shock that ending immigration would create.
Since we live in a democracy, such a plan would be swiftly reversed because of the pain it would cause.
> For better or worse, US consumers are addicted to the low prices those low wages enable
You cannot convince me that low prices require low wages when companies are raking in record profits. We could have better wages, the same prices and lower profits. That is a sacrifice I would be happy to have businesses make
Immigration into the US was curtailed in the 1920s and then reopened in 1965. This period was one of relative wealth for the middle class. Since the late 60s to early 70s, the middle class has suffered an ever-decreasing quality of life. It doesn't seem like a foregone conclusion that reducing immigration will necessarily lead to a decrease in quality of life. Increase in the cost of some items (the ones whose price hinges on cheap immigrant labor) would be met by increase in wages, especially for people in the lower socio-economic rungs.
Yes; the increase of prices alongside domestic labor cost is part of the necessary "immune system of capitalism" that is suppressed by immigrant labor. If a first-world business cannot survive without offering very low wages, it needs to die off and make way for new businesses, even if that lowers material product and service availability.
