Before being granted amnesty, the workers had been concerned that seeking better-paying jobs would expose them to scrutiny that would result in their deportation. Their old positions were inexorably filled with a fresh supply of illegal immigrants. Although the USA has doubled its efforts since 1994 to stem the flow of illegal immigrants along its 2,000-mile Southern border, it has done nothing to reduce the demand from Mexico for U.S. jobs. Proponents of looser immigration policy say that while prospects for legislation are dim, the changing demographics of the workforce favor foreign workers. Economists say that if the immigrants were deported, many places would be forced to close for want of workers.
Chances are better than ever for new laws allowing more immigration.