WASHINGTON, April 21 (UPI) -- Immigrant labor helps the U.S. economy grow, which keeps the country strong against terrorist threats, an expert claims.
Speaking at The Heritage Foundation last week, James Miller, former director of the Office of Management and Budget, said much of the recent crackdown on immigration stems from terrorism and security concerns following the Sept. 11, 2001 mega-terror attacks that killed 2,800 Americans.
"I'm very convinced that some ramifications of our war on terror will have on our ability to remain competitive," Miller said. "I don't think there's any question about the best way to maintain a strong defense is to maintain a strong economy."
Miller said he supports immigrants' right to work because of the economic benefits to the United States.
"Immigration is supportive of our gross domestic product," he said. "Give them all green cards, don't give them citizenship but let them work here."
Miller said a guest worker program would "make it much less attractive to enter the U.S. illegally and you could screen people."
Lawrence B. Lindsey, president and CEO of The Lindsey Group and former economic policy assistant to the Bush administration told the meeting that immigrant labor does positively affect the economy. But in the end there was no net benefit because "the economy is larger but the (immigrant worker) captures the amount," he said.
