Herd-building

One of the attacks that some immigration restrictionists have leveled against proponents of immigration is that the proponents are trying to build a herd. For instance:

  • Some labor unions that support immigration are trying to increase their membership by attracting immigrants.
  • Ethnic and racial special interest organizations support immigration from the source countries to swell their numbers and hence increase their prestige or political influence.
  • Some political parties support immigration to capture the votes of the immigrants once they become citizens, as well as the votes of citizens who have ethnic solidarity with immigrants.

Further, it is argued that these groups (labor unions, ethnic special interest organizations, and political parties) are often giving short shrift to the individuals they currently represent in order to capture these new potential members.

"The Efficient, Egalitarian, Libertarian, Utilitarian Way to Double World GDP" — Bryan Caplan