And the impact is broader than just having jobs with no labor force available. Being on the lowest rungs pay wise, most of these undocumented immigrants (after withholding taxes) spent 100% of their pay in the United States.

Hence the increased focus on forced labor, and child labor. Some months ago, a state, I forget which one, significantly expanded the sort of jobs minors could work, and increased the hours per week they could be worked. The Medicaid work requirement is forced labor. A county prosecutor here in metro Detroit has proposed another forced labor scheme.

Macomb County prosecutor proposes Michigan’s first child support specialty court

Lucido said the specialty court would offer an alternative. Parents could plead guilty, but sentencing would be delayed while they complete a one-year program requiring payments, employment, and court oversight. Successful participants could avoid a felony record altogether.

clickondetroit.com - Macomb county prosecutor proposes michigans first child support specialty court

The use of prison labor could be expanded. A friend of mine has worked as a bull on a chain gang. Need farm labor? Empty out the county jail. 21st century technology would make keeping them under control a lot easier than in the scenes in "Cool Hand Luke". I'm thinking an ankle bracelet, that, if farther than 100 yards from the bull holding the transmitter, emits a homing signal, as it delivers high voltage shocks to the person wearing it.

Steve