<p>zoosermom, I have been trying to find reputable sources on the documented cases of serious diseases like TB and H1N1 that are allegedly coming in with this new wave of immigrants. I have been unsuccessful. I do know this was already the worst year for H1N1 since it was first identified in 2009–but not because of immigrants bringing it across the border in Texas.</p>
<p>As far as making it less desirable for immigrants to come here–and to reduce their exploitation once they arrive–if we enforce a living wage in all states and come down harder on people who hire illegal immigrants, we might make a dent. A lot of the work undocumented workers do is work that out-of-work Americans won’t. If employers had to pay them a fair wage, maybe they would, and thus the market for the illegal labor would be reduced.</p>