George Will, a respected figure in the traditional GOP establishment, has recently expressed his dissatisfaction with Congress's reluctance to implement more comprehensive immigration policies.
In a piece penned for the Washington Post, Will lamented the missed opportunity for immigration reform, which he believes could enhance the nation's dynamism and self-understanding.
According to Breitbart, Will's advocacy for increased immigration comes at a time when public awareness of the economic harm caused by President Joe Biden's influx of illegal immigrants and visa workers is growing. This damage has further widened the optimism gap between older Americans and the younger Generation Z, those under forty.
Rasmussen Reports pollster Mark Pitchell recently tweeted about the demoralization he observed among young people. "Went to an event tonight, talked to three different people with zoomer kids," he wrote, "They're demoralized." This sentiment was echoed by recent graduate Nalin Haley, who told UnHerd about the struggles her high school friends face in finding employment despite their impressive degrees.
Rich Baris, director at Big Data Poll and the chairman of the National Association of Independent Pollsters, criticized the older generation's lack of understanding towards the challenges faced by younger Americans. "Its pretty damned insulting to listen to people in older generations act as if these younger generations have all the options and opportunities they did. They do not. Boomers made sure of it," Baris said.
The economic prosperity enjoyed by older Americans, largely due to technological advancements since the 1940s and the economic stimulus from waves of legal and illegal immigrants, contrasts sharply with the economic stagnation experienced by younger Americans. Despite this, George Will, now 84, remains a staunch advocate for increased immigration, arguing that immigrants can revitalize the economy by pushing Americans out of low-wage jobs.
Will also suggests that immigrants can serve as domestic helpers, freeing up more educated Americans for commerce and potential childbirth. He cites research indicating that low-skill immigrants significantly reduce hesitation about having children.
However, Will's endorsement of mass immigration is not without its critics. A report from the American Enterprise Institute, which Will references, estimates that net U.S. migration might be negative this year for the first time in history, potentially curbing economic growth.
A study funded by investors and reported by Breitbart News in October suggests that while mass migration may boost the stock market, lower levels of immigration are better for per-capita wealth. Stephen Camarota, the research director at the Center for Immigration Studies, told Breitbart News, "It may be good for Wall Street, its not good for Main Street."
In contrast to Will's pro-immigration stance, President Trump and his deputies have advocated for increased productivity and automation rather than mass immigration. Trump told Breitbart News in August, "Were going to need robots to make our economy run because we do not have enough people."
Vice President JD Vance echoed this sentiment, arguing that the promise of cheap labor has stifled innovation. He stated, "And whether were offshoring factories to cheap labor economies, or importing cheap labor through our immigration system, cheap labor became the drug of Western economies."
BlackRock founder Larry Fink, speaking at a 2024 pro-globalist event hosted by the World Economic Forum in Saudi Arabia, suggested that countries with shrinking populations could be the big winners in developed countries. He argued that these countries would rapidly develop robotics and AI technology, potentially transforming productivity and elevating the standard of living for individuals, even with shrinking populations.
While the debate on immigration continues, it is clear that the issue is far from black and white. The economic implications of both mass immigration and reduced immigration are complex and multifaceted, and the impact on different generations and sectors of society varies.
As such, it is crucial to consider all perspectives and potential outcomes when discussing and implementing immigration policies.
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