Illegal Labor Undercuts Fair Wages
The idea that there are “jobs Americans won’t do” is a tired myth, one that’s been debunked by both economic reality and common sense. From dairy farms to landscaping, the notion that illegal immigrant labor fills an irreplaceable gap ignores a fundamental truth: pay a fair wage, and Americans will step up to the plate. The real issue is that illegal labor suppresses wages, distorting the market and pricing American workers out of jobs they’d otherwise take. It’s time to dismantle this narrative and recognize how reliance on illegal labor harms both workers and the broader economy.
Consider the argument made by Ana Navarro on The View, where she claimed deporting illegal immigrants would spike milk prices because they do the “God-awful work” of milking cows. This assertion, echoed by some Democrats, paints a picture of undesirable jobs that only immigrants will touch. Yet, as dairy farmers and industry experts pointed out on platforms like X, modern dairy farming is heavily automated, with machines handling most of the labor Navarro attributes to immigrants. Her claim, rooted in an outdated view of agriculture, falls apart under scrutiny. It’s not that Americans refuse to work on dairy farms; it’s that employers can hire undocumented workers at lower wages, making it harder for U.S. citizens to compete. A 2007 study by economist George Borjas found that a 1% increase in immigrant workers can reduce wages for low-skilled native workers by up to 0.3%, with high-school dropouts facing a 4.5% wage hit. This isn’t about job desirability-it’s about economics.
The same dynamic plays out in other sectors. In Northern Virginia, as Casey Chalk wrote in The Federalist, day laborers-many of them undocumented-dominate landscaping and construction, driving down labor costs. Chalk’s family chose to handle their own yard work, finding not just cost savings but pride and responsibility in the effort. His children, raised with a work ethic, exhibit maturity that stands out among peers. This suggests Americans are willing to do the work, even the grueling kind, when the incentive is there. But when illegal labor floods the market, employers have little reason to offer wages that attract American workers. The Center for Immigration Studies reported in 2018 that a 1% increase in immigrant composition cuts native workers’ wages by 0.5%, with low-skilled workers hit hardest at 0.8%. The math is clear: illegal labor creates a race to the bottom.
Critics of this view, like those Stephen Kruiser mocks in PJ Media, argue that illegal immigrants are essential for tasks like lawn mowing or dishwashing-jobs they claim Americans shun. This condescending pitch, Kruiser notes, alienates Hispanic voters who see through the stereotype that their communities are only good for cheap labor. It also ignores the reality that Americans have historically filled these roles when wages were competitive. The Heritage Foundation emphasized in 2025 that curbing illegal immigration could boost wages for lower-income Americans by removing the downward pressure of underpaid, exploitable workers. Undocumented workers, lacking legal protections, often earn 42% less than U.S.-born workers, according to a 2018 Econofact study, setting a low-wage standard that drags everyone down.
Perhaps the most absurd example of this mindset comes from Los Angeles, where, as Hot Air reported, a proposal would protect illegal immigrants from eviction if fear of ICE keeps them from working. This policy effectively subsidizes a system where undocumented workers can live rent-free, further incentivizing employers to hire them over Americans who demand fair pay. It’s a perverse cycle: illegal labor keeps wages low, which discourages native workers, which in turn fuels the narrative that only immigrants will do the work. Break that cycle-enforce immigration laws, level the playing field-and employers would have to offer wages that reflect the true value of the labor. Americans would fill those jobs, just as they’ve done in the past.
The economic evidence is compelling, but the human cost is just as significant. Low-skilled workers, including native-born minorities, bear the brunt of wage suppression. A 2010 U.S. Commission on Civil Rights report highlighted how illegal immigration displaces and undercuts black and Hispanic workers, who are disproportionately represented in low-skilled jobs. These communities deserve opportunities to earn a living wage, not a labor market rigged against them by unchecked immigration.
The solution isn’t complicated: enforce immigration laws, reduce the supply of illegal labor, and let the market work. Employers will adjust, offering wages that attract American workers. The myth of “jobs Americans won’t do” will crumble as citizens step into roles they’ve been priced out of for too long. This isn’t just about economics-it’s about fairness, self-reliance, and restoring a system where hard work is rewarded with a decent paycheck. It’s time to stop excusing illegal labor and start valuing American workers.
