Georgia and Illegals? (Atlanta, Carl: sales, real estate, construction jobs)

[goldengrain]

Georgia saw the greatest increase between 2000 and 2011, with the number of illegal immigrants there increasing by 95 percent to 440,000.

This is a huge increase. Could it be just a reporting issue, or did the population increase so in such a short time? If so, why Georgia? What's the draw?

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/24/us...nt&tntemail1=y

[rcsteiner]

Originally Posted by goldengrain

Georgia saw the greatest increase between 2000 and 2011, with the number of illegal immigrants there increasing by 95 percent to 440,000.

This is a huge increase. Could it be just a reporting issue, or did the population increase so in such a short time? If so, why Georgia? What's the draw?

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/24/us...nt&tntemail1=y

Maybe the exploding real estate and construction markets in the first part of the decade created a need for a lot of unskilled workers?

[goldengrain]

Originally Posted by rcsteiner

Maybe the exploding real estate and construction markets in the first part of the decade created a need for a lot of unskilled workers?

And are you implying that Georgia was blessed with this boom to the exclusion of the surrounding states? It could be. It could be that Georgia just had a lot more land to be built upon. I don't know if this was the case.
Does anyone?

[rcsteiner]

Originally Posted by goldengrain

And are you implying that Georgia was blessed with this boom to the exclusion of the surrounding states? It could be. It could be that Georgia just had a lot more land to be built upon. I don't know if this was the case.
Does anyone?

The Atlanta metro was adding 100,000 residents a YEAR in the 1990's and the early 2000's.

How does that compare to surrounding metros?

I'm just speculating based on the number of hispanic construction and landscape workers I've seen in this metro.

I also recall a lot of farmers in the central and southern parts of the state claiming that the lack of illegal workers would be a huge problem for them. I suspect many of them were working on those farms. That may even account for more than the Atlanta metro.

Just pure speculation on my part.

[goldengrain]

Thanks. Makes sense.

[Stars&StripesForever]

Unfortunately, every other Juan, Diego, and Carlos from south of the border decided to move here during the height of growth. Why? They pretty much pushed out all Americans in the construction and complementary fields and held almost every position in the building of every structure. I doubt the increase was 440,000 due to taking construction jobs, as hispanics are known for their extremely high birthrates, but it was very high nonetheless.

As the economy has soured, I'd say that HALF of those illegal hispanics have moved away from Georgia. I'll also contend that as the economy is still not in recovery, you'll see more and more leave. With the immigration law, some may also leave as well. In my opinion, we'll see the number of hispanics decrease down to 1/4 the level of the highest hispanic population seen in Georgia, minimum. That is, if the economy doesn't bounce back soon.

There are some good things that come out of economic downturns, like sending law breaking illegals home.

[cittic10]

Originally Posted by Stars&StripesForever

They pretty much pushed out all Americans in the construction and complementary fields and held almost every position in the building of every structure.

They didn't do any such thing. Try blaming their employer for illegally hiring them at slave wages and not witholding taxes. It takes two to tango.

Originally Posted by Stars&StripesForever

hispanics are known for their extremely high birthrates,

Stereotype much?

Originally Posted by Stars&StripesForever

In my opinion, we'll see the number of hispanics decrease down to 1/4 the level of the highest hispanic population seen in Georgia, minimum. That is, if the economy doesn't bounce back soon.

You seem pretty certain all the "eee-leeguls" are hispanic.

Originally Posted by Stars&StripesForever

There are some good things that come out of economic downturns, like sending law breaking illegals home.

How about we send their greedy employers to prison next? I'm all for doing that.

[goldengrain]

Originally Posted by cittic10

They didn't do any such thing. Try blaming their employer for illegally hiring them at slave wages and not witholding taxes. It takes two to tango.

Stereotype much?

You seem pretty certain all the "eee-leeguls" are hispanic.

How about we send their greedy employers to prison next? I'm all for doing that.

Well, I think we all agree that they contribute to the poor economy. The tax dollars we pay for public services: schools and hospitals, get eaten up. Hospitals have closed because they cannot afford to treat them, yet they must by government mandate.

They drive salaries down because Americans would do the jobs they do for a decent wage. Many middle class blacks have been squeezed out of the construction industry because of illegals.

No, they are not all from Latin America, but most are. All should be dealt with, though.

Yes, employers should face stiff penalties for hiring them. It's not as though they don't have a means to check.

Both parties have been in favor of another 'path to citizenship'. Reagan said that was the biggest mistake he ever made.

I'm surprised that Obama did not include them in his health care plan. I guess they'll attach an addendum to the bill later. Ugh!

Look, most Latinos, Mexicans usually, whom I have met have been lovely people. It's just that we cannot support the poor of the world with such a bad economy. It's the harsh economic reality of life.

[cittic10]

Originally Posted by goldengrain

Well, I think we all agree that they contribute to the poor economy.

A lot of people would say they contribute in a positive way to the economy. Afterall, they're buying stuff while they're here and paying sales tax on it. They're leaving more money in the pocket of the person/s that illegally hired them. More money for them to buy things like boats and expensive pickup trucks.

Originally Posted by goldengrain

They drive salaries down because Americans would do the jobs they do for a decent wage. Many middle class blacks have been squeezed out of the construction industry because of illegals.

I'd like to correct you on *part* of that. If anyone was out of a job because of of the illegal immigration, it's not from the eee-leeguls forcing people out of a job. It's because of illegal hiring, tax evasion, as well as substandard pay and working conditions. There's plenty of people offering jobs picking fruit in 90 degree heat for 10 hours a day for $5 an hour. They don't care what race or nationality you are, just as long as you're a good slave, don't give them any grief over the conditions and don't unionize.

[Columbus1984]

Originally Posted by Stars&StripesForever

Unfortunately, every other Juan, Diego, and Carlos from south of the border decided to move here during the height of growth. Why? They pretty much pushed out all Americans in the construction and complementary fields and held almost every position in the building of every structure. I doubt the increase was 440,000 due to taking construction jobs, as hispanics are known for their extremely high birthrates, but it was very high nonetheless.

As the economy has soured, I'd say that HALF of those illegal hispanics have moved away from Georgia. I'll also contend that as the economy is still not in recovery, you'll see more and more leave. With the immigration law, some may also leave as well. In my opinion, we'll see the number of hispanics decrease down to 1/4 the level of the highest hispanic population seen in Georgia, minimum. That is, if the economy doesn't bounce back soon.

There are some good things that come out of economic downturns, like sending law breaking illegals home.

Excellent post!