[raybbr]

Right but my point is that the government stealing from Joe to give to Jose does not have any net benefit on the US economy; if anything it is a loss in favor of Jose’s home country

Without a doubt. But you can't say that Jose's money/earnings is a total loss to the U.S. economy which this article/letter implies.

[wrhssaxensemble]

no. That is true. But it is certainly less of a gain than if Joe did not have to prop up Jose. Further, it is much more of a gain for Mexico or whatever Jose’s home country is than for the US