News and views from the award-winning author of the novels The Skinny Years, America Libre, House Divided and Pancho Land

Friday, May 2, 2008

Study claims workplace immigration raids will hurt the L.A. economy

The Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation (LAEDC) released a study claiming the region could lose nearly 75,000 jobs if firms believed to employ high numbers of illegal workers were to leave the area because of workplace raids. According to the study, the 75,000 jobs would be lost if only 15% of companies moved away in the fashion, food processing and furniture manufacturing industries. According to Jack Kyser, chief economist for the LAEDC, the state of Washington and other areas are already courting local businesses to relocate to more immigrant-friendly locales. The three key industries cited have created nearly 500,000 jobs, through direct and indirect influence, and produced $18.3 billion in wages in 2006.

Instead of targeting illegal immigrants who lead productive lives, “federal immigration officials should target dangerous or violent criminals,” Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa said during a recent press conference.

Raul Ramos y Sanchez

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