Mr. President Don't Build This Wall

I went to the Constitution Center in Philadelphia this weekend and heard Ronald Reagan's famous statement "Mr. Gorbachev tear down this wall." Now I know that it's a very different context, but nonetheless hearing that really got me thinking about how harmful it would be to build a wall between the United States and Mexico, and more generally about the benefits of legalizing all the immigrants that want to come.

My Immigration post explains the purchasing power benefits of easier immigrant legalization. Now I'm going to look at some potential political benefits of allowing immigrants.

Competition! I sort of hate being such a competition lover, since I so dislike it on a personal level. But here is an example of when it's beneficial: If a restaurant has terrible food, we can simply switch to another restaurant. In that way, the restaurants that give you the most bang for your buck continue and the others go away. Otherwise, the world could continue with restaurants that nobody really likes. Or think of the labor market; without competition, employees could be stuck with terrible employers for life, because there is no competing alternative employer. These situations probably pale in comparison to being stuck in, say Syria, as an unwanted minority.

When there are high barriers between countries, a country's government has a monopoly over its people; there is no competing alternative place to live. The government those citizens are born to is the only government from which they can hope to receive protection of their rights. Monopolies lower production; in the case of countries, a government can treat its people worse and still exact what it will from the people, at least until the people decide to stop 'buying' and revolt against their government.

Perhaps governments would try harder to make people happy if they knew that those people can leave if they aren't happy. Of course, becoming a migrant is rough, so fortunately people will try to improve their home community before leaving, but what a blessing it would be to oppressed people to be able to leave oppressive situations.

I learned about another example of the importance of accepting immigrants at the Holocaust Museum. There was a window right before the start of WWII during which the German Jews could have emigrated, but most countries (the U.S included) refused to receive so many immigrants.

Rather than imposing democracy abroad, perhaps a more gentle and effective way to help foreign people is to allow them freer movement between countries. With Mexico, our policies might be different if we think about the welfare of not only the Mexicans that are coming, but of those that are staying in Mexico as well. Most immigrants come just to work and live, but let's address the concern that many criminals come in from Mexico. Is there that big of a difference between having a criminal among U.S. citizens and having one among Mexican citizens? Adam Smith points out that one benefit of self-interest (looking after our own citizens first) is that we know our own immediate circumstances better than we know the circumstances of people far away. But I believe that having an open and positive relationship with Mexico is in our own interest; it leads to better trade, a richer culture, greater international peace, and on a personal note, I love associating with the immigrants that I know. Since my mission to Guatemala, I take every chance I can to chat with people who are native Spanish speakers, and many of them are immigrants who are grateful to be here.

Freer movement will allow happiness-seeking individuals to go to the country where they have the greatest chance of success.