In every regulation that is put into place by the government, there is likely a need for it or it should not be there. The reality is not every regulation, or law is enforced the same. If you go back to the turn of the 1900’s many people chewed tobacco and if you have ever tried, you will need to spit more than every once in a while. If you are riding the trails in the middle of a cattle drive, you can spit anywhere. If you go into towns and cities, spiting is similar to dog’s pooping on the sidewalk. The solution was to install cans to spit into, as time changed the regulation against spitting on the sidewalk is likely still on the books of the city but rarely enforced because most of us do not chew tobacco.

President Trump came to office and one of his big goals was to close the border to immigration and send back anyone who came illegally, particularly if the person had committed crimes. The general public backs if the person has committed crimes, but many who are technically illegal work in various industries across the country.

In an article by Paul Wiseman of the Associated Press, farmers, cattle ranchers, hotel and restaurant managers breathed a sigh of relief that paused rounding up illegals in these industries. Then the pause was taken off and businesses were trying to figure out the government’s actual policy.

The big issue is US unemployment is at 4.2%, many businesses are desperate for workers and immigration provides those workers. According to the US Census Bureau, foreign workers made up 19% of the employed workers in 2023, but they accounted for 24% of the jobs preparing and serving food and 38% of the jobs in farming, fishing and forestry. They are also overrepresented in factories that in the food processing industries.

An ICE raid in New Mexico left a dairy with 20 workers down from 55. The issue is cows need to be milked twice a day, fed twice a day, who was going to do it or food would be spoiled.

A meat packer in Omaha, Nebraska lost over a 1/3 of its workforce, but its President said we followed the system for payroll, but ICE said the system was broken. Is that my fault?

No doubt some form of immigration standards need to be implemented the issue is who will do it? and what are the consequences of not doing it, or how can business have workers?

Linking to dividend paying stocks, depending on the industry, many companies depend on immigration for workers. Often times, it is the best and brightest that leave a country for a better life and the people start near the bottom of the pay scale. However, the skills they brought with them can be used and hopefully begin to receive higher income sooner or some form of savings. Talent pool are skills people have and all around the world, higher education is higher education, the difference is the company recognizing the talent and promoting people. Hopefully, profitable companies do this better and that is why you want to invest in them.

There are more questions than answers, till the next time – to raising questions.