In this sense immigration has worked like many other trends which have increased inequality. Richard Freeman and George Borjas, two eminent economists, have estimated that one-third of the decline in the wages of low wage workers is due to immigration. Yet the defenders of immigration insist that immigrants are only taking jobs which Americans do not want. Perhaps Americans would want these jobs if their wages were able to rise, but the continuing influx of low wage workers from other countries prevents that from happening. Right wing opponents of unions and minimum wage laws like Newt Gingrich and Dick Army also support open borders.
Business loves low wages.
Unfortunately, immigration is a topic which arouses more passion than analysis. On one side are those who define the US in Eurocentric terms. On the other side are those who label any criticism of immigration as racism. Both of these charges are beside the point. The problem is not immigrants as individuals or as cultures.