Although the Californians protest the raw deportation tactics already brutally used by ICE security agents and the national security of President Trump, we are thinking very little about how our state and the nation are failing in the immigrant community that we want to protect.
In the past, particularly in the last century, when the economy of the United States and California grew at a fast pace, the critical needs full of immigration freely controlled and, over time, they transferred many immigrants to an increasingly diverse middle class. But now the newcomers are getting stuck. According to the new findings of the researchers of the USC and the University of California, immigrants represent almost a quarter of The American population living in povertycompared to 14% three decades ago.
The immigrant poverty rate fluctuates, but has increased in recent years, especially from pandemic. In 2024, 22.4% of all immigrants and 28.4% of non -citizen immigrants, including undocumented, were poor, the highest rates since 2008.
In addition, welfare dependence is more pronounced among immigrants than natives born. A 2023 census analysis analysis He showed that 54% of households headed by naturalized citizens, legal residents and undocumented uses one or more well -being programs compared to 39% of households born in the United States.
In California, the general situation is just a little better. A 2023 report From the California Public Policy Institute placed the poverty rate for all residents born abroad in 17.6%, compared to 11.5% for those born here. However, for unauthorized immigrants, the rate was even higher than the national figure: 29.6%. Undocumented homes, notes A separate USC studyThey have constantly had the lowest average family income in Los Angeles, $ 46,500, compared to $ 75,000 among all Angelians in 2024.
The umbling statistics reflect a decrease since the 1980s in blue–necklace industries In California, which traditionally offered mobility ascending to immigrants. The unionization in the Hotel Industry of Immigrants has helped lift some families, but those profits can lead to less jobs as employers seek to control costs, potentially automating some services. And immigration itself, especially mass immigration, puts Descending pressure In many of the works, newcomers fill in agriculture, for example, or construction.
The scarcity of works that support families has pushed California towards a model that Michael Lind, a historian and author -based authority in Texas, describes how the “low wage/high welfare model”.
Fiscal implications are serious. The president has signed executive orders that deny federal funds to the Sanctuary cities, funds that would underpin the budgets of the city and the state for surveillance, education and many other services affected by immigration. Those requests have been Tested in courtAlthough Trump will surely try again. At the same time, the budget that the president signed on July 4 increases the funds for the border application, but reduces things as medical services for non -citizens, even for those who are legally here.
This will cause particular anguish in deep blue states. California's current budget deficit has forced Trump's “resistance” leader, governor Gavin Newsom health care For the undocumented, which also occurs in other progressive foci such as the state of Washington, Illinois and Minnesota.
The simple truth is that the low wage/high welfare economy depends on illegal immigration is not sustainable. Economic reality suggests that we need a common sense policy to restrict new migration and focus on policies that may allow current immigrants, especially those deeply integrated into our communities and those with useful skills, enjoy the success of previous generations.
What would a common sense policy be like? It would ensure the border, what the Trump administration is already doing, and would remove the immigration priorities of the family reunion and more towards the attraction of those who can contribute to an increasingly complex economy. Deportations must prioritize criminals convicted and criminal gang members, whose presence is barely welcomed by most immigrants.
Immigrants respectful of the law who are here without authorization should be offered a ticket or the opportunity to register for the legal status based on a clean registry, pay taxes and stable employment. In addition, we must consider a new Bracero program, which allowed guest workers to come to the United States legally without their families in the mid -twentieth century. Even President Trump has been forced to recognize that low -salaries immigrant work is difficult to replace in some sectors.
This type of immigration reform has eluded Congress for decades, but a clear eye evaluation shows that simply welcoming the newcomers Willy-Nilly will not be worthwhile for most migrants or for California. A large undocumented work group is exactly the opposite of what is needed to nurture a strong and sustainable economy. If you are protesting against Ice Raids and Immigrant Ata, you should also protest for Rehere the immigration of the United States according to economic foundations. The perspective of a better life should be available for all of us.
Joel Kotkin is a taxpayer of Opinion, presidential Fellow For Urban Futures at the University of Chapman and a member of senior research at the Civitas Institute of the University of Texas, Austin.
