Economists’ View: Migration is Good

From an L.A. Times article in the Sunday Business section today:

In the main, they say the American engines of industry and commerce have always been fueled by a steady supply of new arrivals. Immigrants, they contend, contribute to consumer spending and, instead of replacing native workers, create jobs. “Overall, immigration has been a net gain for American citizens, though a modest one in proportion to the size of our $13-trillion economy,” 500 economists wrote in an open letter to Congress on June 19. Measuring the contributions of illegal workers is a difficult task, however. Many numbers are vague or open to dispute. A few experts contend that the gains are not clear-cut and that any benefits are far from being universally shared.

Click here for the full story.  For dialogue entitled “Immigration is Good,” check out the Economist’s View Blog by clicking here.

KJ