Staff Reports
In a recent discussion on Fox News Sunday, Treasury Secretary Scott Besson highlighted a significant proposal aimed at addressing illegal immigration and its impact on American workers. Besson explained that an estimated $249 billion in wages currently goes to individuals working illegally in the United States. His goal is to redirect these wages to legal workers and American citizens, indicating that enforcing existing immigration laws could lead to a substantial pay increase for the working class. The message is clear: it’s time for the common man on Main Street to reap the benefits they deserve.
Besson pointed out that for years, the influx of illegal immigration had led to suppressed wages, which has been a sore subject for American workers. He believes that higher wages for legal workers would not only improve their quality of life but also create what he calls “parallel prosperity,” where both Wall Street and Main Street can benefit from a stronger economy. Imagine that: the stock market thriving while the average Joe sees a pay raise. It’s a dream worth pursuing.
But as the Secretary acknowledged, skeptics raise concerns about whether American workers would actually step up to fill these jobs, especially those typically held by undocumented immigrants. Some experts argue that there simply aren’t enough eager American workers ready to take on these roles. Yet, Besson remains optimistic. He pointed out that even in the face of wage increases, individuals, especially younger men, may return to the workforce. The backing of President Trump and his agenda—focused on trade and job creation—might just coax them back into employment.
As the conversation turned to tariffs, Besson shared that talks with various trading partners are heating up. The U.S. is facing a drop-dead deadline, and the stakes seem to be rising. Businesses worried about the impact of these tariffs on their operations, and regular folks, of course, are anxious about how these costs might eventually trickle down to them. Despite this, Besson argued against the pessimism circulating around tariffs, challenging the narratives of supposed economic doom.
The Secretary was clear: much of the skepticism surrounding tariffs is rooted in misinformation. He claimed that the data doesn’t support the idea of rising inflation due to these trade policies. Instead, he suggested that many foreign manufacturers are absorbing the additional costs rather than passing them on to consumers. That said, the situation with the European Union is somewhat tricky, given that negotiations involve multiple countries. However, Besson assured viewers that America holds the leverage in these discussions due to its significant trade deficit.
In sum, the dialogue emphasized a dual strategy: enforce immigration laws to uplift wages for American workers while navigating complex international trade relationships. Besson’s approach seems rooted in optimism and a belief that the economy can work for everyone—something that both Wall Street and Main Street should tune into now more than ever. With so much at stake, it’s clear that these discussions are just the tip of the iceberg in a rapidly evolving political and economic landscape.
