January 29, 2007

Anti-immigrant = compassion for the poor?

At least a few Republicans in Washington, D.C., led by Sen. Jeff Sessions of Alabama, have figured out that the most effective way to push their anti-immigration views is to argue that legal and illegal immigration holds down wages and hurts the poor. Sessions last week introduced an amendment to the minimum wage bill to withhold federal contracts from companies caught employing illegal immigrants. And this is what he said about the issue:

“We cannot have a discussion on minimum wage without recognizing the negative impact of illegal immigration on the salaries of American workers. The competition American workers face from illegal laborers is a serious problem that holds down their wages. Contractors need to be held accountable for not hiring Americans,” Sessions said. “I believe this amendment is a step in the right direction. Government contractors should set an example because they are being paid with tax dollars.”

This is potentially dangerous for Democrats, in California and elsewhere. They are unabashedly pro-immigrant, and many are agnostic on illegal immigration. Over the long term, that's probably good for the economy. But in the short term, just like outsourcing and technology, immigration causes disruption in labor markets and hurts those who are displaced. To the extent that Republicans can tap into that frustration among the middle class and working poor, they can benefit. It has always amazed me that more of them didn't use this language earlier, rather than focusing on the cultural issues or the cost of government services to illegals. Instead of sounding like he wants to punish illegal immigrants, Sessions is sounding like someone who wants to protect recent immigrants and citizens at the bottom of the income scale.

Don't forget, immigration was the top issue for California voters in this PPIC poll released last week. It out-polled education, health care, the economy and the state budget.

Posted by dweintraub on January 29, 2007 12:14 PM