Immigration appears fiscally positive in national statistics because the federal government collects tax revenues from immigrants. However, this is misleading as state and local governments bear the brunt of the direct costs for education, housing, and emergency services, creating a net economic burden on local communities.

Beyond its long-term growth benefits, rational immigration policy can be a powerful short-term tool against inflation. By addressing labor shortages in critical sectors like construction, agriculture, and elder care, an increased and targeted immigrant workforce can directly reduce cost pressures on essential goods and services.

Contrary to common political narratives, undocumented immigrants are often a net positive for government finances. They are heavily documented for tax purposes (e.g., Social Security) and pay into these systems but are less likely to draw benefits, effectively subsidizing programs for citizens and creating a highly profitable workforce.

Key sectors like construction, agriculture, and home healthcare depend on immigrant labor because domestically-born workers are unwilling to perform these physically demanding jobs. This creates a structural economic dependency that is often overlooked in political debates about immigration.

The economic impact of immigration depends heavily on skill level. Data shows college-educated, high-skilled immigrants generate lifetime fiscal surpluses. In contrast, low-skilled immigrants often create net drains on the system, costing hundreds of thousands of dollars per person over time due to higher usage of social services.

For decades, the US has benefited from a flexible, low-cost undocumented labor force that performs essential jobs domestic workers avoid. Both political parties have implicitly allowed this system to thrive because it is economically advantageous, creating a class of workers that is documented for profit but not for legal status.

America intentionally avoided solving illegal immigration because it serves a crucial economic purpose: providing a flexible, cheap labor force that doesn't draw on social safety nets. This benefits industries and consumers while placing little burden on the state.

Restricting immigration halts a key source of labor for essential sectors like agriculture and construction. This drives up consumer costs and could cut GDP by 4-7%, creating a direct path to higher inflation and slower economic growth.

Immigration policy must account for economic incentives. Unlike in the past, modern welfare states make immigration an economically rational choice for survival, not just opportunity. This shifts the dynamic, attracting individuals based on benefits rather than a desire to contribute without a safety net.