Debate between economists on the impact of immigration

Conventional economic wisdom traditionally applies laws of supply and demand to immigration, assuming these principles hold in all circumstances. David Card's influential research, particularly regarding the Mariel Boat Lift, challenged this view by suggesting immigration did not significantly harm the job market. In contrast, economist George Borjas argued that Card's analysis overlooked important variables, especially concerning lower-skilled workers. Borjas's insistence on analyzing broader nationwide data revealed substantial negative impacts on high school dropouts' wages in Miami, suggesting that increased low-skilled immigration can lead to their wage decline by 10 to 30 percent. This highlighted the complexities of immigration's economic effects, emphasizing that there are clear winners and losers within the labor market, and illustrating ongoing debates among economists about immigration's true impact.