Immigration Issues

Immigrants Unprepared for U.S. Economy

The skills levels of immigrants arriving in the United States are below those necessary to survive and thrive here, according to a study released earlier this month by the Rand Corp. The study focuses on immigrants arriving in California -- the most common entry point. It stresses that jobs now being created demand higher skill levels than most immigrants display.

The Rand researchers suggest several immigration policy changes:

  • The number of immigrants legally admitted should be reduced to a "moderate range" of 300,000 to 800,000 a year -- depending on economic conditions.

  • Greater cooperation with Mexico on border control.

  • The U.S. should set entry criteria based on education levels, knowledge of English and work skills.

The report points out that while 85 percent of new jobs created in California over the past two decades have gone to workers with at least some college education, some 28 percent of California's Hispanic population -- native-born and immigrant alike -- don't finish high school. Many dropouts are unable to read or even speak English well.

Inevitably, those not sufficiently skilled to enter the U.S. economy must fall back on welfare. Many immigration specialists think it would be more humane to deny them entry in the first place.

Source: Editorial, "Trouble for Immigrants in the New Economy?" Investor's Business Daily, September 22, 1997.

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