This issue is not only moral but also legal, economic, and ideological. There is no simple solution. As a Christian, I believe those who have lived here for years and contributed to society deserve a second chance, even if they broke the law once. Since we are saved by grace, offering others grace should come naturally.
Even without considering morality, there are important economic implications. Removing 25% of immigrants from the workforce would significantly impact the economy—food and home prices would rise, and Americans could lose jobs. Losing 2-4 million people from the economy can stall growth and hinder new job creation.
Removing undocumented immigrants or implementing stricter immigration policies could significantly impact the long-term U.S. economy. If 25% of undocumented immigrants are deported and more restrictive immigration laws are enforced, projections indicate that by 2031—just five years from now—the number of deaths per year in America would surpass the number of births. This trend could result in the U.S. having over five million fewer people by 2050 compared to today, with a larger portion of the population being older and out of the workforce than those who are working.
Last Friday, President Trump signed new H-1B visa requirements which will make harder for company to bring new worker from outside the country. Currently, there are over 1.2 million vacant positions for high-skilled technical jobs. This shortage of technical job openings has persisted for the past 15 years. The main reason is that there are not enough Americans who have enrolled in universities and earned degrees in fields such as engineering, mathematics, finance, computer programming, or genetic engineering. This issue is significant, and attitudes toward higher education have changed. In the late 1990s, over 70% of Americans believed college was important; today, only 49% agree. College enrollment has also declined compared to 25 years ago.
The Trump administration and its supporters focus on American interests and workers. However, questions arise about sustaining the country’s growth without crops available for harvest, doctors in hospitals, or mathematicians in laboratories. There are also considerations regarding how to maintain national progress if the proportion of retirees exceeds that of the younger workforce, or if the population continues to decline over time.
Supporters of President Trump’s immigration policy avoid these questions, insisting only that those who broke the law should be deported.
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