Xenophobes might fear that expanding legal immigration would produce a big jump in the foreign-born population. That’s unlikely, because in this realm, the paradoxical often prevails.
Trying to lock down the border has not stanched the flow of unauthorized newcomers from the south, but it has made the trip much more dangerous and expensive. So illegal foreigners who once came and left now come and stay.
Thirty years ago, nearly half of undocumented arrivals departed within a year. Today, only one in 14 does.
If most of the 12 million illegal immigrants were to gain authorized status, many would feel free to return to their native countries, and some would remain there. Permitting more legal immigrants, oddly, could reduce the number of total immigrants.
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