[ConsistentLibertarian]

Is there anyone here who supports global free trade with an exception for labor markets?

I've often wondered why the immigration issue isn't discussed as a free trade v. protectionism debate with respect to the labor market. Unless there's a good reason for treating labor markets differently, I'm inclined to think immigration restrictions are just another example of protectionism, but I'd like to hear more before I make up my mind.

Hence, the question: Why shouldn't one favor global free trade for labor, assuming one favors global free trade in other cases?

[hedgetrimmer]

You can't have free market citizenship, and still have a country. That is what the illegal alien amnesty proposal suggests.

[jpsb]

[, I'm inclined to think immigration restrictions are just another example of protectionism]

You are correct, and if you have followed the free trade debate you will have noticed that one of the major objection to free trade is that it depresses American wages.

[FITZ]

I'm inclined to think immigration restrictions are just another example of protectionism, but I'd like to hear more before I make up my mind.

I would ask the American Indians---- who allowed their borders to be completely open, didn't limit immigration in any way, what it completely unrestricted immigration can do to a society.

We've got a giant welfare society now --- which is even worse, we're inviting in the would-be welfare classes of Mexico --- if they can't survive on their own skills here --- no problem --- the taxpayers will pay to make them very comfy here.