US Immigration Policy & Impacts Larry D. Sanders Oklahoma State University July 2013 Tulsa Regional Chamber of Commerce Policy Forum

Defining the problem Populist Public Budgets Climate Change Aging US Population Diversity of US Population Less Developed Economies Ethics

[OK: 55,000-95,000]

Employment Growth (%) Oklahoma grew at 1.0% over this period. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Local Area Unemployment Statistics 4 Hispanic Population Growth Courtesy of D. Shideler, OSU Note: not specified as undocumented

Immigration Reform proposal: 2013 S. 744 passed w/some amendment 27 June 2013 Current summary of S. 744: – Path to citizenship—wait in line (13 yrs?) & pay fines Registered Provisional Immigrant temporary visa Legal Permanent Resident (LPR) “green card” Expedited for DREAMers* – Increased border security—”militarized zone” – Guest worker program for temporary work (i.e., ag workers “blue card”; “W card”) – E-Verify for employers House not likely to vote on 744; considering options (*Note: Development, Relief & Education for Alien Minors)

Immigration Policy Options & Consequences Public Policy (support/ restrict) Market Solution -Reduced cost to Fed -More immigration in short run; flux over time -Security risk up -Costly to some business Strong Controls -Most costly to Fed short run -Costly to some business Immigration Reform (S. 744) -Enforcement, security costly to Fed -Ag & Business generally pleased, costly to some -Tax revenue increases; some social program cost -Some risk to labor markets; wages increase over time -Humanitarian impacts positive -Economic growth increases Current policy House proposals

Thanks! Challenging times… gales-mexico-tirabichi-landfill-dump-photos/#1

Note: not specified as undocumented

? <40,000?

Oklahoma Immigration Law HB 1804 (2007) touted as one of toughest in US – Violation to shelter/transport illegals – Proof for public benefits/i.d. required – Restricts resident tuition – Requires use of federal database for work eligibility Status: – relatively minimal impact – Increasing number of legal and illegal aliens in state

Labor intensive Crop production