The role immigration can play in addressing Michigan’s labor shortage
Public support for immigration is at its highest when it helps fill economic needs locally, according to David Bier of the Cato Institute.
United Auto Workers members walk in the Labor Day parade in Detroit, Sept. 2, 2019.
Michigan is currently facing labor shortages in several industries, including healthcare and hospitality, according to a recent report from Michigan’s Labor Market News. Some experts believe immigration may be the key to easing this short coming.
Recent polling from the Cato Institute, a free market think tank, shows that most Americans support immigration to the U.S. — and that support has been increasing over the last few decades.
“If they’re coming to fill a job and contribute economically, that is the strongest — across Republicans, Democrats, Independents — that’s the strongest basis for immigration in our system.” — David Bier, immigration analyst
Listen: How America’s view on immigration has changed over time.
Guest
David Bier is the associate director of immigration studies at the Cato Institute, a free market think tank. He says the public’s support of immigration is strongest when immigrants are filling economic needs.
“When it comes to the economic need, as long as the economic need is there, Americans are willing to welcome them,” says Bier. “If they’re coming to fill a job and contribute economically, that is the strongest — across Republicans, Democrats, Independents — that’s the strongest basis for immigration in our system.”
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