Bryan Caplan's keyhole solutions for immigration
A keyhole solution is an idea of “targeting specific problems through narrow, targeted solutions rather than trying to restrict or control unrelated activity.”
I’m reading Bryan Caplan’s comic book Open Borders: The Science and Ethics of Immigration, which was generously sent to me for free by @NathanpmYoung on Twitter, and I love the concrete ideas offered by the author.
Instead of restricting immigration completely, why not use specific solutions for specific complaints?
1.
People are worried about low-skilled immigrants taking their jobs?
Freely welcome immigrants but charge them higher taxes, an admission fee, or both.
Use immigrants’ contributions to compensate natives for their losses with lower taxes, better services, or both.
2.
Worried about immigrants costing more in services than they pay in taxes?
Restrict immigrants' eligibility for free and subsidized government services. For example, limit immigrants to the most vital services or require immigrants to pay a certain amount in taxes before they can apply for benefits.
"Let's build a wall around the welfare state, instead of the country!" - Alex Nowrasteh
3.
Worried about immigrants’ English?
Require fluency on a language test.
Not enough?
Require a full-blown test of cultural literacy!
4.
Worried about crime?
Exclude individuals with criminal records!
5.
Worried that Muslim and western cultures are irreconcilable?
Raise non-muslim immigration!
This also works with any other demographic.
6.
Worried about immigrants taking away your freedom?
Award citizenship cautiously. For example, make immigrants wait years to naturalize, so they have ample time to learn to love our political ideals. Or you could require immigrants to pass a rigorous civics test to gain citizenship.
Remember, all these solutions are not so fair to immigrants, but they're way fairer than just keeping them out!