Inequality and Immigration

In his article “Immigration Dilemmas,” Richard Rothstein essentially argues (1) the impracticability of controlling immigration and (2) the economic advantages immigration confers upon American society. He also lists policies that, if adopted, would in time limit immigration. For the American left there are normative issues as well, which Rothstein ignores: should immigration, especially of poverty-stricken persons, be restricted at all; and if so, by what means?

Furthermore, granted the economic advantages of immigration, what price must immigrants pay to create them? Rothstein briefly notes the low wages for which immigrants often work but is not otherwise concerned with their working conditions. Yet the exploitation...