# We can actually get rid of nearly all unauthorized immigrants **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [March 27, 2016, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-can-actually-get-rid-of-nearly-all-unauthorized-immigrants/750304 "2016-03-27T02:44:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2016, 5:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-can-actually-get-rid-of-nearly-all-unauthorized-immigrants/750304/41 "2016-03-28T05:09:00Z")
The current President thinks so. When he wanted to build support for reform, he deported at record levels. How many people did he deport? 3 million, was it? Apparently we can deport millions. ---
**Author:** ![septimus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/septimus/32/410_2.png) [@septimus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/septimus)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2016, 5:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-can-actually-get-rid-of-nearly-all-unauthorized-immigrants/750304/42 "2016-03-28T05:45:38Z")
If you could suddenly deport every illegal immigrant it would plunge the country into recession. Prices and wages would surge in industries which employ many illegals; U.S. exporters that employ illegals would lose sales. Consumption by illegals is significant; loss of that would itself trigger a recession—not only would the illegals be unemployed but legal workers supporting their consumption would be laid off. Corporate profits would crumble. And that’s assuming the logistics of magically deporting 11 million illegals could be worked out—30,000 deportations _per day_ if spread out over a year (and what would we do with children “Born in the U.S.A.” who’ve lost their providers?). _Instead, the illegals lingering in the U.S. would become a humanitarian crisis._ Right now, illegals are roughly a break-even for government spending. (Don’t forget that most illegals pay SocSec but can’t receive benefits, already a big profit machine for government.) But they’d become a big drain if they were all suddenly unemployed … or is the intention to starve them? The “illegal worker problem” was never about identifying those workers and firing them—it’s that our economic growth, and in particular corporate profits—have become dependent on them. Most intelligent politicians—and even some on the GOP stage—are aware of this, but one Party has been taken over by a demagoguery; to get votes some candidates need us to Hate and Fear the Other. ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2016, 5:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-can-actually-get-rid-of-nearly-all-unauthorized-immigrants/750304/43 "2016-03-28T05:51:50Z")
But if we are dependent on illegal labor, why not just repeal the laws against it? ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2016, 7:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-can-actually-get-rid-of-nearly-all-unauthorized-immigrants/750304/44 "2016-03-28T07:01:42Z")
This issue is actually one of the things that I think shows why Trump is doing so well on the immigration issue, and why Republican supporters don’t trust the Republican party on this issue. 1. Republican party mainstream candidates: “We’ll crack down on illegal immigrants!” 2. Response from individuals who believe that illegal immigration is taking their jobs away: “That’s great, but it’s only part of the problem. When are you going to crack down on employers who employ illegal immigrants.” 3. Crickers chirping, as mainstream Republican candidates weigh the harm it would do to them if they went after businesses. 4. Individual supporters, tapping their feet impatiently: “Well? when will you go after businesses?” 5. Mainstream Republican candidates: “well, that’s an idea that may have some merit, but implementing it may cause some difficulties, and blah, blah, blah.” 6. Individuals: “Oh screw them. Trump says he’ll do some major things on this issue.” ---
**Author:** ![septimus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/septimus/32/410_2.png) [@septimus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/septimus)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2016, 7:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-can-actually-get-rid-of-nearly-all-unauthorized-immigrants/750304/45 "2016-03-28T07:22:01Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > But if we are dependent on illegal labor, why not just repeal the laws against it? :smack: You’re a Republican and you don’t know the answer to this? 😕 The GOP likes such issues to keep the base stoked up. Also, by outlawing such workers, corporations are able to pay them lower wages and avoid spending on worker safety, etc. Some employers of illegals even call up _La Migra_ the day before payday, so that the last two weeks were worked for free. If you’d prefer rational thought to determine policies, you’re in the wrong Party. On the GOP stage, the clowns are trying to outdo each other: “Let’s tattoo their foreheads so they can’t come back.” “I’d whip and cane them before sending them back to Mexico.” “I’ll see your whips and canes _and_ also castrate the ones who had ‘anchor babies.’” (Yes, I’m exaggerating but the point should be clear.) ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2016, 7:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-can-actually-get-rid-of-nearly-all-unauthorized-immigrants/750304/46 "2016-03-28T07:22:48Z")
> [@spamforbrains](#): > > got it in one. there are huge industries that rely on illegal labor. Got it in thirty three, you mean. ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2016, 8:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-can-actually-get-rid-of-nearly-all-unauthorized-immigrants/750304/47 "2016-03-28T08:25:27Z")
> [@Northern\_Piper](#): > > This issue is actually one of the things that I think shows why Trump is doing so well on the immigration issue, and why Republican supporters don’t trust the Republican party on this issue. > > 1. Republican party mainstream candidates: “We’ll crack down on illegal immigrants!” > > 2. Response from individuals who believe that illegal immigration is taking their jobs away: “That’s great, but it’s only part of the problem. When are you going to crack down on employers who employ illegal immigrants.” > > 3. Crickers chirping, as mainstream Republican candidates weigh the harm it would do to them if they went after businesses. > > 4. Individual supporters, tapping their feet impatiently: “Well? when will you go after businesses?” > > 5. Mainstream Republican candidates: “well, that’s an idea that may have some merit, but implementing it may cause some difficulties, and blah, blah, blah.” > > 6. Individuals: “Oh screw them. Trump says he’ll do some major things on this issue.” Then on the other hand, Democrats have been saying for decades that rather than rounding people up, if we go after the employers then people won’t have any incentive to come over here. Then when we’re on the verge of doing just that, they go, “Wait! I didn’t really mean that!” So yeah, that’s why there’s a big constituency enraged about the issue. It’s not just the policy. It’s the lies. The biggest one being, “we can’t just deport 11 million people.” Actually, we can come pretty close. Bush and Obama combined did 6 million and they weren’t trying all that hard. ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2016, 8:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-can-actually-get-rid-of-nearly-all-unauthorized-immigrants/750304/48 "2016-03-28T08:26:34Z")
> [@septimus](#): > > :smack: You’re a Republican and you don’t know the answer to this? 😕 > > The GOP likes such issues to keep the base stoked up. Also, by outlawing such workers, corporations are able to pay them lower wages and avoid spending on worker safety, etc. Some employers of illegals even call up _La Migra_ the day before payday, so that the last two weeks were worked for free. > > If you’d prefer rational thought to determine policies, you’re in the wrong Party. On the GOP stage, the clowns are trying to outdo each other: “Let’s tattoo their foreheads so they can’t come back.” “I’d whip and cane them before sending them back to Mexico.” “I’ll see your whips and canes _and_ also castrate the ones who had ‘anchor babies.’” (Yes, I’m exaggerating but the point should be clear.) Are you suggesting that Democrats would support repealing the laws that require employers to verify eligibility to work in the United States? ---
**Author:** ![lance\_strongarm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/87869e/32.png) [@lance\_strongarm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lance_strongarm)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2016, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-can-actually-get-rid-of-nearly-all-unauthorized-immigrants/750304/49 "2016-03-28T16:57:39Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > But if we are dependent on illegal labor, why not just repeal the laws against it? Ow! That hammer hitting the nail on the head hurt my ears. ---
**Author:** ![lance\_strongarm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/87869e/32.png) [@lance\_strongarm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lance_strongarm)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2016, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-can-actually-get-rid-of-nearly-all-unauthorized-immigrants/750304/50 "2016-03-28T16:58:43Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > The biggest one being, “we can’t just deport 11 million people.” Actually, we can come pretty close. Bush and Obama combined did 6 million and they weren’t trying all that hard. Sure we can. And then they’ll come right back. ---
**Author:** ![Fotheringay-Phipps](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/d9b06d/32.png) [@Fotheringay-Phipps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fotheringay-Phipps)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2016, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-can-actually-get-rid-of-nearly-all-unauthorized-immigrants/750304/51 "2016-03-28T17:23:42Z")
IMO, the feds should crack down on businesses which employ illegals, and this would help somewhat. Some of the reasons it would not help more have already been mentioned here: [ul] [li]Many illegals use fake IDs (and it should also be noted that employers who are too aggressive in trying to weed out fake IDs run the risk of being dinged for discrimination against Hispanics, so they need to walk a fine line).[/li][li]Many illegals are self-employed or employed by small businesses in a cash-based system. (I believe all my wife’s cleaning ladies over the years have fit that category :).) Someone noted up-thread that plumbers and the like need licenses, but generally you only need one licensed plumber who runs the firm based on his license and much of the work can be done by other, legal or illegal, without licenses.[/li][/ul] ---
**Author:** ![spamforbrains](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e274bd/32.png) [@spamforbrains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spamforbrains)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2016, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-can-actually-get-rid-of-nearly-all-unauthorized-immigrants/750304/52 "2016-03-28T19:23:33Z")
So after we get rid of the illegals, whom do you propose will step up and do the labor that they currently do? They pick most of our crops They do a lot of the labor on farms They build our houses They clean our houses They watch our children They mow our lawns I can’t see many US-born people heading out to the farms to do back-breaking labor in exchange for very little money. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2016, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-can-actually-get-rid-of-nearly-all-unauthorized-immigrants/750304/53 "2016-03-28T19:24:30Z")
> [@spamforbrains](#): > > So after we get rid of the illegals, whom do you propose will step up and do the labor that they currently do? > They pick most of our crops > They do a lot of the labor on farms > They build our houses > They clean our houses > They watch our children > They mow our lawns > > I can’t see many US-born people heading out to the farms to do back-breaking labor in exchange for very little money. Then agribusiness better get used to paying more. ---
**Author:** ![Peremensoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ce7236/32.png) [@Peremensoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peremensoe)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2016, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-can-actually-get-rid-of-nearly-all-unauthorized-immigrants/750304/54 "2016-03-28T19:40:14Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > But if we are dependent on illegal labor, why not just repeal the laws against it? “We” aren’t. But the people that are, need it to be illegal. They need those workers to accept lower pay and more dangerous conditions, without recourse to labor law enforcement. ---
**Author:** ![Peremensoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ce7236/32.png) [@Peremensoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peremensoe)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2016, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-can-actually-get-rid-of-nearly-all-unauthorized-immigrants/750304/55 "2016-03-28T19:41:17Z")
> [@spamforbrains](#): > > So after we get rid of the illegals, whom do you propose will step up and do the labor that they currently do? > They pick most of our crops > They do a lot of the labor on farms > They build our houses > They clean our houses > They watch our children > They mow our lawns > > I can’t see many US-born people heading out to the farms to do back-breaking labor in exchange for very little money. All these things would, and should, cost more. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2016, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-can-actually-get-rid-of-nearly-all-unauthorized-immigrants/750304/56 "2016-03-28T19:43:05Z")
> [@spamforbrains](#): > > So after we get rid of the illegals, whom do you propose will step up and do the labor that they currently do? > They pick most of our crops > They do a lot of the labor on farms > They build our houses > They clean our houses > They watch our children > They mow our lawns > > I can’t see many US-born people heading out to the farms to do back-breaking labor in exchange for very little money. Well, maybe those jobs should pay more and people should get used to paying fair wages for the work. Speaking as a non-Hispanic American born and raised in the US, who _has_ actually mowed lawns, cleaned houses, and built/repaired houses the notion that no American born here is willing to do the work is bullshit. The reason they don’t is that they won’t work for less than minimum wage or suffer abuse the way illegal labor does. So the employers of illegal workers whine “Americans don’t want to do the work” when really the problem is Americans don’t want to, and don’t have to, do the work for starvation wages and abuse. ---
**Author:** ![watchwolf49](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e9c0ed/32.png) [@watchwolf49](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/watchwolf49)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2016, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-can-actually-get-rid-of-nearly-all-unauthorized-immigrants/750304/57 "2016-03-28T21:51:44Z")
I once asked my congressman about enforcing laws on employers who hire illegal aliens … he laughed … said it will never happen … So here’s My Idea[sup]®[/sup] to get the Mexican government to build and patrol the wall … for everyone we deport back to Mexico, give them a hand gun and 1,000 rounds of ammo … once word gets out in Mexico that one can get a free gun at the border … the Mexican Government will do everything possible to secure that border … and in _very_ short order. ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2016, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-can-actually-get-rid-of-nearly-all-unauthorized-immigrants/750304/58 "2016-03-28T22:09:59Z")
Mexico has secured their southern border quite nicely, and their internal enforcement is ruthless. Which might be why they have a 4.5% unemployment rate. ---
**Author:** ![Trinopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2bfe46/32.png) [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2016, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-can-actually-get-rid-of-nearly-all-unauthorized-immigrants/750304/59 "2016-03-28T22:15:57Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > Mexico has secured their southern border quite nicely . . . Mexico’s southern border is only about 400 miles long. ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2016, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-can-actually-get-rid-of-nearly-all-unauthorized-immigrants/750304/60 "2016-03-28T22:22:34Z")
Oh, I’ve never suggested that securing our border was possible absent a huge investment we aren’t willing to make. That’s why our system relies on internal enforcement. Which actually is a lot looser than it could be and the issue is not resources, it’s will. Too many political constituencies want to keep the cheap labor flowing in. But liberals especially need to make a decision. Wages simply aren’t going to rise anymore if business can just increase the labor supply every time wages threaten to rise. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-can-actually-get-rid-of-nearly-all-unauthorized-immigrants/750304.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-can-actually-get-rid-of-nearly-all-unauthorized-immigrants/750304.md?page=4)