Remove every single welfare in this country and just as many people will still come over the border. The idea that people are coming for welfare is just wrong, the welfare is the cherry on top but people do eat ice cream all the time without cherries anywhere to be found.
I see 3 ways to reduce immigration. The bes of them is to stop destabilizing latin American countries, stop with the regime change wars, the sanctioning, the strong armining of leaders and the propping up of strong men who oppress their people. Essentially, we need to pull the CIA back from the region. More stability will mean less people trying to leave their homes. The other two options is to tank the economy so bad that immigrant see no economic benefit coming over and to build a big wall along the southern border.
I agree that welfare may not be the REASON they pack their stuff and head over, but it is largely the biggest problem associated with them coming, because it is driving up the debt and creates dependency once they are here.
I’d also point out that they are probably not coming here explicitly to change the US into a communist state as some posters seem intent on.
If there is no welfare or handouts, it would be hard to compile a list of ways that their immigration actually effects your pocketbook or mine. Probably the biggest issue would be like what Phil brings up, a legitimate concern, they could be driving down labor costs in trades that previously used to provide decent wages to professionals such as himself. But at least the burden wouldn’t be resting on taxpayers to provide healthcare and education and other living benefits to these people and their families.
A couple suggestions I’d propose if anyone cared- end giving citizenship rights to people just for being born here. If both parents are not US citizens, their offspring are not either.
If we must have policies in place to not turn away people for healthcare if they cannot afford it, find a way to pass the expense of providing a poor immigrant’s healthcare bill back to the country of origin, or garnish future wages. Difficult to navigate topic here, I know. I do not support the idea that healthcare should be provided free for illegal immigrants. They came here to work, let their money pay for their costs.
I know many “illegals.” They overstay their visa, but set down roots and have a kid in school, get comfortable just working and sending money out of the country. There is no incentive to leave once their allowed term is up. The policies should prevent them from being able to set down roots as a non citizen.
Unfortunately that’s not the case.
A wall stops 0% of those problems.