Serious question about immigration & the economy

[MichMan]

With the recent Immigrant's Day to bring attention all to the positive aspects that immigrants provide to our economy, I have a sincere question. Obviously, anyone with intelligence would agree that our economy is strengthened with the presence of all immigrants regardless of legal status. I assume that the vast majority of people that emigrate to the US to work are some of the hardest working and most industrious.

Wouldn't that also mean that the economies of their countries of origin are therefore weakened by them leaving?

[guillaumeb]

1. Yes it would mean that.

But if one economy has literally no opportunities for all of its workers, the contribution of the unemployed is not a factor.

One example:

After NAFTA was passed, US produced and subsidized corn was cheaper in Mexico than Mexican corn. So many Mexican farmers left to find farm work in the US. This had the effect of destroying the ability of these farmers to work in Mexico as well as allowing US farmers to hire these workers at lower wages than they would pay to a US worker.

[uppityperson]

2. If you can't afford to live somewhere and move to where you can, I don't see how leaving weakens

that economy.

[MedusaX]

3. Multiple factors

A decrease in the number of workforce members may/may not have a negative effect on the economy... depending, as stated above, on employment availability, cost of living, housing availability, etc....

it is important to remember that not all migration is driven by economic needs/desires...
And, IMO, the economic effects of migration should not be be deemed the only/ most important factor to consider when establishing immigration policy.