IMMIGRATION AND UTAH 2012

Why is immigration reform so tough when the answers are so obvious?

Immigration Issues
ECONOMICS SOCIAL IMPACTS FISCAL IMPACTS

ECONOMICS
Milton Friedmans Paradox of Illegal Immigration 1914 Free Immigration Today Not Free Immigration to Work Vs. Immigration to Welfare Illegal immigration beneficial because only legal immigrants qualify for welfare. (Note: ID Theft) Laws that make social and economically advantageous acts illegal undermine public character and morality by making mockery of law (i.e. The Prohibition)

ECONOMICS
Welfare creates incentive for immigration that otherwise would not exist in the absence of employment opportunity.

SOCIAL IMPACTS
Immigrants bring the culture of their home country with them, for better or for worse. Assimilation takes generations:
Benjamin Franklins fears of Pennsylvania

Crime and Standard of Living Can Be Affected

FISCAL IMPACTS
Society pays the bill for:
Schooling Law enforcement and property crime Health care expenses passed onto paying consumers Welfare benefits

What are the immigration trends?

What will Utah and the U.S. look like in 2040?

Option 1 Immigration to Work

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Strong middle class Socio-economic mobility Reward based on merit Economic prosperity and fiscal responsibility Low taxation

Option 2 Immigration to Welfare

1. Greater wealth inequity
Haves and Have Nots (i.e. Central/South America)

2. 3. 4. 5.

Stagnant Economy Limited Socio-Economic Mobility Class tensions High taxation to redistribute wealth to appease poor classes. 6. Permanent underclass

POLICY CONSIDERATIONS
U.S. Corn subsidy combined with NAFTA has bankrupted Mexican corn farmers. U.S. policy on welfare benefits for immigrants needs review.
43% of immigrants in U.S. 20 years or more receive welfare benefits

Education is the best and surest method to promote assimilation

H.B. 116
Still being litigated Placed limit in who could be permitted by residency date. Created permited immigrants via fee, criminal background check, fingerprinting, and registration. U-verify E-verify enforcement mechanism Prevented payment of state welfare benefits Compelled permited immigrants to pay taxes Punished businesses that violated law by revoking business license

Q&A