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New Study Says Immigration Helps California’s Economy

California and San Diego are major magnets for immigrant labor. How do the large number of immigrants working here impact the job market and wages? A new study offers insight on this contentious issue

On tonight's Full Focus, we'll examine the conclusions of a new report which says that contrary to popular belief, immigrant workers are having a positive effect on nearly all workers in the Golden State – mainly in the form of higher salaries and expanded business opportunities. How could these findings affect the immigration debate?  A new report from the Public Policy Institute of California or PPIC says that overall immigrant workers have helped California’s economy. The study says there's no indication immigrant workers took jobs from native workers and that from 1990 to 2004 average real wages for native workers went up by 4 percent.

Guests

  • Gordon Hanson, labor economist at UCSD
  • Ruben Navarett Jr., San Diego Union-Tribune

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