Suppose that depends on whether the income derived from the country they work in is used to buy imported goods, which probably happens to some degree, but - I know many in CR whose relatives send their earnings home to buy houses in CR.
Bogie - is the CBO taking into account that most of what illegals earn, goes back home to invest in their families? I know a bunch of Costa Ricans who work in the US only because it helps them afford to live in Costa Rica - they buy land or other commodities, or start businesses in CR, they send money to family in CR - would they really buy land or houses in the US and plan to stay? Quality of life is way better in CR and I have a feeling it would not be their intent to invest in life in the USA. Typically they work for four years in the US and go back home with a healthy bank account and money to invest in CR.
What you are addressing is the wage and government oversight issue - and you are correct, up to a point. Most people coming out of school would rather play video games and sponge off others than be a landscaper (even McDonalds pays more than landscaper get and that's easy work, may not be "dignified" to some, but the pay is good and there's little personal risk involved compared to landscape work) - even if the landscape job paid $12-$15/hour (which wouldn't hurt the employer or the customer's pocket too much) - governments turn a blind eye on the illegal landscapers because they know there aren't enough people to do the work and that some of the money they earn goes back to the market when they buy food and fuel and pay rent. You might be surprised to learn how many elected officials use illegal labor.
In the 1980s I was reading up on what jobs there'd be a heavy demand for workers for... landscaping was one of the industries - if you can find stats that show there are plenty of US citizens training to be a landscaper, I'll agree with your argument.
stay out late at night in cold weather to enjoy meteor showers? seen them while part way up Mt Shasta (no light interference, wow) or other, warmer activity?
There's that big factor some of you are not considering.
There are many jobs that US citizens just won't do.
The legality of it is a very different subject. Governments allow illegals to work. Politicians hire illegals. Big can of worms.
Point is - will US born citizens do your laundry, care for your lawn or your baby, labor over building your house, clean your sewers, heft that heavy load, haul your garbage...
My father's father was an illegal immigrant. He cleaned skyscraper windows in NY then painted houses in Nor Cal. He was a good man. Had honor and strong values. Yes, things today are nothing like the late 1800s. But, the question remains - who will do your hard, underpaid, uninsured, sometimes dangerous, and almost always dirty labor?
Some additional info for you - most landscape companies charge a minimum of $30/person the job site - $7-$10 goes to wages, the rest is eaten up by taxes/social security/medicare and other overhead (equipment, chemicals, fuel, rent, phone, advertising, etc.)... hope that helps.
There's a lot of labor jobs US folks just wont do. I worked on landscaping for along time. Most of my co-workers were Mexican. Many industries work out the visa issues, or even illegally help workers cross borders and then provide, for example, one house for a dozen or so employees.
Living in Costa Rica for almost 2 yrs and now Nicaragua, I have met many who go to New Jersey for work - there must be some organization that is helping them get the airline ticket because these folks don't have that sort of money, but they go for work in the US. In droves. Obama recently met with Central American Presidents - Nicaragua's Pres was particularly interested in speaking with him because there's a large umber of their people in the US.
It's apparent there is a demand for cheap labor. Will US citizens do that labor? I don't think so, I was a rare one (loving agriculture and not minding hard work as much as I did). It's hard dirty work, doesn't pay well, and causes one to live in cramped quarters. Their checks - mostly go back home to buy land and other commodities/services for their families (most things are very inexpensive in the southern countries).
So, ultimately - I don't think it harms "American" workers because most US citizens just don't care to do those jobs. Note - all people from south and central America are Americans.
depends on the cider, some is too sweet, though enjoy that buzz.
I bought a pair of sandles which are about half a size too large for me because there aren't many choices in Nicaraguan stores... would you succumb to that, or would you search all stores to find just the right size? (1 clue: there's a lot of stores carrying shoes and clothing in Esteli).
Tomorrow I move into my new, yet also temporary home at the medicinal farm. My hosts are saying that I should stay forever and I haven't even moved in, yet. Thinking that my time in Esteli and at the farm will be both lovely and sad, sad because I will be moving along in the not too distant future. It may be good fodder for more poetry and to let my heart be with those who choose love as their primary driver.
"Passion makes the world go round. Love just makes it a safer place." - Ice T
"To give is easy... to receive with gratitude is poetic" - me
PJ1961 Forum Posts (905)
depends on the environs, really... 
hoping that there is no lethal or serious direct harm to your friends and others too 
RE: American workers and Illegal immigrants
Suppose that depends on whether the income derived from the country they work in is used to buy imported goods, which probably happens to some degree, but - I know many in CR whose relatives send their earnings home to buy houses in CR.