The current border debate is confusing. Especially since the people who are most passionate about it seem to be on the opposite side of the debate from what logic might dictate. Democrats typically favor some form of open borders allowing thousands of people from Mexico, Central and South America to enter the U.S. each month. Republicans tend to favor more border security with reduced numbers of immigrants allowed in.
The majority of these immigrants are relatively low-skilled workers. This influx is definitely not in the best interest of African Americans, specifically those with low education/low skills. The immigrants are direct competitors for the same types of jobs in many industries. African Americans make up about 25% of the Democratic base and according to Bloomberg, their turnout in the 2020 election was a huge key to the Biden victory. On border policy, it appears the African American block voted against the best interest of the low-skilled black worker who desires higher wages and greater opportunities.
On the other side, small business owners and employees of small businesses make up a large block of the Republican party. CNBC reported that there were 1+ million more job openings than there were job seekers in August 2021. This lack of workers is causing wages to rise as businesses compete for a shrinking pool of workers post-COVID. By advocating for stricter border security, small business owners seem to be advocating against their best interests as well.
Democrats often frame the debate as “immigrants are good people who are trying to escape poverty and persecution to pursue the American dream.” They are correct.
Republicans often frame the debate as “Mexican cartels are exploiting these immigrants by extorting money from them in order to allow them passage into the U.S. and all types of criminals, drug dealers and terrorists are embedded with the hard-working people crossing the border.” They are also correct.
What neither side ever seems to mention is that while the current administration seems happy to allow large numbers to flood into the country, it remains illegal for a US employer to hire any of them until they become documented (and most never do). Employers are still required to complete a Form I-9 on each employee to demonstrate they are legal to work in the US. Most employers are also required to use e-verify to confirm the ID shown by the worker is legit. Hiring those who are ineligible to work is punishable by fines of $375 per hire for first time offenders to as much as $16,000 per hire for habitual offenders. Jail terms of up to 6 months are also a possibility. Harboring illegals from ICE can even net a small business owner up to 10 years in prison.
Where is the logic in a policy that allows undocumented individuals to enter the country to pursue the American dream but doesn’t allow businesses who are desperate for workers to hire them? There is a huge policy gap between the Department of Homeland Security, which has effectively been directed to ignore current immigration laws, and the Department of Labor, which has shown no such inclination with workplace eligibility rules. This disconnect in policy is resulting in an unnecessary burden on our social safety net and a growing ethical dilemma for employers who are desperate for workers.
In my experience, most undocumented individuals would prefer to pursue the American dream through work than through welfare. Our politicians must come together to fix this social challenge to help both the immigrant and the business community.