Comments on: A market for immigrant citizenship

By: A Question for Dan Foster « Modeled Behavior

A Question for Dan Foster « Modeled Behavior — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 22:14:43 +0000

[...] who have risked much to be here, are the kind of people who would be alloted citizenship in an ideal and ethical system. He has the willingness and the ability to pay his way in any fair immigration scheme. He’s a [...]

By: Gary Becker’s Immigration Plan « Modeled Behavior

Gary Becker’s Immigration Plan « Modeled Behavior — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 00:36:45 +0000

[...] can, and have, argued for this system. I would also be for a system of gradually opening the gates more and more, [...]

By: teageegeepea

teageegeepea — Fri, 10 Dec 2010 03:13:41 +0000

I proposed my own scheme for selling guest-worker permits here. The basic idea is that the U.S is in a good position to exploit those unlucky enough to be born outside its boundaries. No sappy DREAM Act "we are not monsters" stuff.

By: Ethan Dennison

Ethan Dennison — Thu, 09 Dec 2010 15:12:59 +0000

I might say you are partially guilty of making an outrageous claim, and following it with a modest position. A market for immigration is not what you are proposing. A market for immigration would deliver optimal quantity of citizenship at optimal price based on supply and demand. Given that supply of citizenship is technically infinite, and the cost is effectively zero, the government, as a monopolist, could simply set annual allocations based on a long range revenue maximizing quantity. This is obviously very different from the arbitrary quota system we have in place.

I think you are proposing that given our arbitrary quota, the best way to allocate the scarce citizenship spots would be based on price. I think that is interesting, and would like to hear more about the auction mechanism (dutch auction of sorts?), but really you have dodged the million dollar question – how many people should we even be letting in?

By: Dominic Pazzula

Dominic Pazzula — Thu, 09 Dec 2010 15:07:48 +0000

Interesting. Plenty of countries only allow highly skilled, economically stable immigrants. Canada, for example, wants you to have a college degree (advanced degree counts more) and sets a liquid net worth requirement. Canada does have humanitary immigration, but the yearly allocation is separated (I believe).

Some countries (St Kits, I think is an example) will give citizenship if you make a sizable investment in the country.

The idea isn’t that far fetched. It just flies in the face of the “give me your tired, hungry, poor …” “American Dream” additude that Americans pride themselves on.