Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro is advocating for the importation of skilled blue-collar migrants to help build U.S. Navy ships. This proposal aims to address the current shipbuilding crisis in which many warships are being delivered late and with significant defects. Del Toro’s plan involves opening up legal immigration to allow more blue-collar workers to work in shipyards and fill the trades that are crucial for shipyard operations.
Despite the potential benefits of this strategy for shipbuilding productivity, it raises concerns about the impact on the American workforce. The influx of cheap migrant labor could reduce the incentive for companies and state governments to invest in training programs for American workers. Additionally, the push for mass migration may hamper efforts to increase productivity and innovation in industries that heavily rely on skilled workers.
The Navy is already investing billions of dollars in upgrading shipyard facilities to improve productivity, but Del Toro also highlights the importance of re-training American workers to fill these positions. While this initiative could benefit American workers and their families in terms of job opportunities and economic stability, there are concerns about the broader implications of mass migration on the labor market and societal dynamics.
Overall, Del Toro’s proposal reflects a broader trend towards increasing legal immigration for blue-collar workers, as advocated by President Biden’s administration. However, the potential consequences of such policies on the American workforce and economy remain a topic of debate among policymakers, business groups, and national security experts.
