Could Immigration Be a Solution?

Reading these blogs about the housing crisis is really giving me a headache. Most of them are blaming one party or another, while others are discussing possible solutions to it. A lot of people are suggesting loosening up the immigration laws. James Stalling on his personal blog says the solution can be immigrants. He proposes to “temporary widen legal immigration quotas to three million with conditions.” He says if we ask them to come, and force them to purchase a home, and live in that home, and put at least 20 % down on that home, and reward them by accelerating a path to new citizenship, then not only is that a great lure to immigrants, but a good solution to our own housing problem. Tori Gattis says,”offer an immediate green card to any foreigner …and it is only good as long as they continue home ownership.” There are others out there that argue that immigration is definitely NOT the answer. Bruce Cain mentions that if we let more immigrants in, then there is a chance they will taking more of our jobs. The job market is already down in most of the US, and by having a policy that makes the legal immigration policy easier, then we are threatening ourselves even more. Diana Olick from CNBC makes a point when she says, “immigrants will ease some of the pain, but let’s not start making our immigration policy arguments based upon mistakes made right here at home.” In a way easing up on immigration due to the housing crisis has its ups, and it has its downs. The housing market would probably go up—if they buy, but that doesn’t mean more jobs would be created as Bruce Cain mentioned. No matter how you look at the housing crisis, coming up with the solutions are sticky situations all over.