A recent news article by Calmatters exposed how California’s population and economy may be affected by Trump’s immigration crackdown.

It noted that California’s high housing costs leading to outmigration have historically been eased due to both legal and illegal immigration. Thus, the crackdown on illegal immigration will likely cause California to lose a congressional seat and an electoral vote. 

Further, the loss of undocumented immigrants in the workforce would significantly impact sectors of the economy including construction and hospitality, leading to a loss in overall GDP.

What should California do?

It’s clear that the removal of undocumented immigrants would have a significant impact on the state. But how should the state respond? It’s clear that this issue requires a nuanced approach. 

Looking at the problem overall, I can’t help but think the best way to solve this issue is to champion immigration reform as a whole. While Trump’s administration is working to ensure our borders are secure, it’s also clear that immigration itself is not a security risk, and is in fact a supportive force in California’s economy.

Thus, the expansion of temporary and permanent visa options to individuals looking to find work in California and elsewhere is crucial. Finding individuals willing to become federal immigration judges to expedite the process is also of extreme importance to ensure that border security is maintianed at the same time. 

Take ideology out of it

Immigration has become a hot topic across the nation, even more so since the Trump administration began work to deport undocumented immigrants. It’s true that border security is vital. But what is also vital is the existence of America as a nation of immigrants, with an economy that reflects this. Ideological differences should be neither the reason working families are denied entry to our country, nor the reason that borders are completely open and unsafe. People looking to find work in America should be able to have a process that allows them in and supports them as they work and give back to the economy.

California, though it may lose a congressional seat, is still arguably the largest, most politically influential state in the nation. It’s our job to champion immigration reform to allow the workingman to come have a home in America — which is entirely possible to do while maintaining safe borders.