Unskilled Wage Of Immigrant Workers

The author argues that unskilled labour wages in his city have seen a significant decline due to the inflow of immigrant workers into his community, and conversely, a restriction on immigration would see the local economy protected. There are several flaws in this reasoning.

Firstly, labour wages may or may not be affected by the increase in immigrant workers. There could be other external factors affecting salaries. One possibility could be a decline in unskilled wages across the country whether or not immigration has increased. The correlation can be tested using statistical methods to compare immigration and wages in different cities.

Secondly, the local economy could improve even if unskilled jobs are being given to immigrants. The increase in the labour force could improve output and income for local skilled workers. The author also does not examine the attractiveness of unskilled jobs to locals; if local people do not want unskilled jobs, then unskilled labour wages would not affect their welfare. In fact, a source of cheap labour may even be to their advantage.
Increased wages could make the city's products less competitive, and population growth may decline to a point where the town's output is not sustainable, making the action to tighten immigration counterproductive.

In summary, additional data is needed to assess the effects of immigration. Specific effects of immigration can then be countered with more acceptable laws than imposing a restrictive law such as a