The Atlantic reports on a phenomenon that I find pretty worrisome. Things are getting a lot better for the typical Mexican and the environment for Mexicans in the US (as well as Americans generally) has gotten bad enough that Mexican migration rates to the US have fallen to a 60 year low. We've made life pretty miserable here for these migrants despite our overwhelming need for their services (particularly in agriculture). But the fact that things were so much worse in Mexico kept them coming. Well that doesn't seem to be so much of a motivator anymore.

We're seeing the same thing going on with skilled workers. High end workers are either staying in their high growth home countries or are going to countries with better visa programs.

The country is starting to pay a dear price for decades of neglecting our employment-based immigration system and allowing agencies with an anti-immigrant bias to do the work Congress won't.

Louisiana's GOP Governor Bobby Jindal has just signed two immigration laws, one of which is probably unconstitutional.

HB 342 requires all contractors seeking to do business with the state use E-Verify. That's something we've been seeing in other states and is likely constitutional under the Whiting Supreme Court case. HB 646 allows the state to fine employers hiring unauthorized workers. The use of E-Verify would be a defense. The problem with this law is that the only sanction states can make on employers is the suspension or revocation of a business license. Fines are not allowed under IRCA. So get ready to pay, Louisiana taxpayers, for a lawsuit is in your future.