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7.23.2011

Economics of immigration

Immigration is one of those issue fought with visceral appeals to nationalism or compassion. A different approach backed by economics (and reason) might take two comparable states and have one continue to allow immigrants while the other state enacts a strict ban. Then we step back and evaluate the effects of the policy by the numbers. (True this isn't a perfect double-blind experiment, but you get the idea.)

We happen to have such a case study in Georgia. The results so far?
'The head of a farmer’s group estimates that the state’s $1.1 billion fruit-and-vegetable industry could suffer a loss of $300 million.
Gary Paulk, a blackberry farmer interviewed by PRI’s the World, says he has lost $200,00-250,00 this season, as unpicked berries rot. “Having a fake ID, a first-time offense can be up to 10 years, and a $100,000 fine,” Paulk said. “I mean that’s, that’s like a felony. A felony to use a fake ID to get a job to support your family.”'
With both sides acknowledging this fact, I'd love to hear an honest debate on the merits of immigration now. I'm sure there are still good reasons to be hawkish on immigration but this certainly provides another point for those in favor. 

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