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Some Economic Thoughts on Guest Worker Programs

Some Economic Thoughts on Guest Worker Programs
A help wanted sign is displayed in the window of a Brooklyn business in New York in a file photo. Spencer Platt/Getty Images
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Commentary

There is continuing concern that the current immigration crackdown could create shortages of workers in many industries in the United States. Labor shortages have long been an issue internationally, especially in countries where birthrates have been low. Guest worker programs have frequently been used to fill these gaps, including in the United States on a limited basis. Such workers are most commonly found in seasonal industries, such as agriculture and construction, but they are also prevalent in domestic work, hospitality, caregiving, and increasingly in high-skill IT jobs.

Lucia Dunn
Lucia Dunn
Author
Lucia Dunn is professor emerita of economics at The Ohio State University, Columbus. Prof. Dunn received her Ph.D. from the University of California at Berkeley. She was previously on the faculties of Purdue, Northwestern, and the University of Florida, Gainesville where she was the director of the Survey Program for the University of Florida Business School. Most of her published research has focused on labor market and consumer debt issues.