CATO Institute Study on Immigration Reform:

Daniel Griswold has written a study on illegal immigration. In his summary, Mr. Griswold writes:

"Legalizing Mexican migration would, in one stroke, bring a huge underground market into the open. It would allow American producers in important sectors of our economy to hire the workers they need to grow. It would raise wages and working conditions for millions of low-skilled workers and spur investment in human capital. It would free resources and personnel for the war on terrorism.

"Contrary to common objections, evidence does not suggest that a properly designed system of legal Mexican migration will unleash a flood of new immigrants to the United States, hurt low-skilled Americans, burden taxpayers, create an unassimilated underclass, encourage lawbreaking, or compromise border security.

"President Bush and leaders of both parties in Congress should return to the task of turning America's dysfunctional immigration system into one that is economically rational, humane, and compatible with how Americans actually arrange their lives.

The free market argument in support of liberalizing immigration into this country is simple, namely, there is both a great demand for and great supply of low-skilled workers. The only thing preventing the intersection between this supply and demand is Congress and the President.

What bothers me about this position is that it ignores non-economic reasons for immigration restraint. My conception of the good and the just differs from what many low-wage immigrants would bring to America. Mexican immigrants vote overwhemling Democrat, according to this poll. The Democratic party supports gun control, abortion, and an unlimited federal government. Democratics also support anti-discrimination laws that chill free speech by causing people with anti-PC views from speaking out for fear of discipline, ridicule, or worse. Democrats even seek to kill speech at universities, which should be the last safe haven for free expression.