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Opinion
Mark Trahant: Immigration a solution for work force


"Today "unauthorized workers" -- the label used by the Pew Hispanic Center -- account for nearly 5 percent of the overall U.S. labor force, or about 7.2 million workers. Of those, nearly 20 percent work in construction-related jobs.

"Unauthorized migrants make up a larger share of all workers in a few more detailed occupational categories," Pew reports. "For example, the unauthorized were 36 percent of all insulation workers and 29 percent of all roofers and drywall installers."

These numbers -- and the prospects of what is to come -- are the reason why Bush favors some sort of system that incorporates those workers into any legislation. Back at the doughnut shop, Bush said he didn't favor amnesty: "But I'm also realistic to tell you that we're not going to be able to deport people who have been here, working hard and raising their families."

People come here to work, the president said. Five powerful words. And, as a middle-age baby boomer, hoping to one day retire, I certainly hope people continue to come here to work."

Get the Story:
Mark Trahant: Immigration -- fix for aging work force (The Seattle Post-Intelligencer 7/9)

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