The Center for Trade Policy Studies issued a report which claims that an immigration reform program which included a legalization would save literally billions of dollars over the current policy of enforcement only. In Restriction or Legalization? Measuring the Economic Benefits of Immigration Reform, Peter B. Dixon and Maureen T. Rimmer claim that using standard economic analysis tools (most of which are too complicated for mere mortals to understand), legalization is a huge net gain to the U.S. economy over the alternative current policy of immigration restriction and deportation. To this finding I can only say, No Duh!
We have known for more than a decade, since the passage of IIRAIRA that enforcement was going to cost the U.S. taxpayer billions of dollars. The alternative option of a workable, immigration law, with a forward looking vision for U.S. families, business and our economy would clearly be a better alternative to the anti-immigration restrictionist model found in IIRAIRA. The question once again becomes, does Congress have the courage to do what is right and pass comprehensive immigration reform and put the vestiges of immigration restrictionism behind us, or not? Or, will it cave under the pressure of a vocal minority of those for him deportation is the only solution?