Report documents dramatic shift in immigrant workforce’s skill level

Highly skilled temporary and permanent immigrants in the United States now outnumber lower-skilled ones, marking a dramatic shift in the foreign-born workforce that could have profound political and economic implications in the national debate over immigration

wa shington post

This is a new angle I wanted to bring to the immigration debate. When you think of the immigration debate, you immediately think of the illegal immigration issue from south of the border. But there is a whole nother sect of immigration, along with outsourcing.

Many may find this issue a double edged sword. Workers are coming in with an education and skills that benefit us. They are doctors, teachers, etc. But many citizens can argue that those jobs should be given to locals. That education and training needs to be provided so the citizens can work, instead of importing labor.

Why is it that when so many college students are struggling to find work, that skilled labor is being imported?
And What should be done to fix the problem?

Why is it that when so many college students are struggling to find work, that skilled labor is being imported?

Dont confuse "credentialed" with skilled.

Importing skilled labour is an awful thing. For example, if you "import" doctor's/nurse's from places such as africa, then it means there is an even bigger deficit when it comes to how many people per doctor/nurse. Therefore there health care is much poorer. On the other side of it, the country they are imported to, isnt training its own citizens to fufill those rolls, so, in a sense, social mobility is effected.
The only person that really wins is the employer. But isnt that how it always works??

reply to post by SearchLightsInc


You mind explainging how it creates a bigger deficit?

reply to post by nixie_nox


I completely agree with everything you said. It really is a double edged sword.

As a country, you DO want skilled, educated immigration. Many countries in their immigration policies require the immigrant to be skilled.

However, that must happen when the economy is GOOD and unemployment levels are LOW.

It is disastrous in times of economic hardships and high unemployment levels. College graduates with masters degrees are having to work as a fast food cashier because they can't find work. Unemployment is just too high and careers are competitive.

So it is extremely illogical to be 'importing' workers (Yes, even legally) when the native citizen is hurting so bad. And if anyone disagrees with that very basic common sense, then I have nothing to so say them.

Originally posted by nixie_nox
reply to post by SearchLightsInc

 

You mind explainging how it creates a bigger deficit?

The country the migrant worker comes from will have less skilled labour, therefore, anyone needing a doctor/nurse (In this example) will have poorer access, not to mention, fee's will go up. Healthcare overall will plummet. The ratio of people:doctor will increase, service decrease if you will - and as if they dont have problems enough.

reply to post by SearchLightsInc


Ok I see what you mean. It creates a deficit in the country of origin. But then it is the country's responsibility to entice their citizens to stay there. What are the problems there that are causing skilled labor to leave?