Seeing immigrants as a solution to the problem of the state's aging population, Mr. Vilsack has been talking up immigration and trying to find ways to increase it. While the idea isn't practical, that it was suggested at all says a lot about where Iowa is, where it wants to go and how it expects to get there. But immigrants benefit nothing as much as the economy. Gatekeepers disguised as greens might be right about the growth issue. In almost any suburb in America, there are new rows of houses, restaurants and hotels.
Immigrants pound nails, cook short orders and change beds, all amid the ringing of cash registers.
Get rid of immigrants, and it all will come to an end. Ruben Navarrette Jr. is an editorial writer and columnist for The Dallas Morning News.