I asked Jon. And he said they "estimate". But not very well. And when I asked him again realized I wanted an actual answer so he said this:
"i imagine they estimate based on the number they catch versus the number they examine, plus estimates based on employment numbers in various sectors, etc"
I have wondered this, too, and I am still stuck...because, aren't the "numbers" usually gleaned from documents such as taxes? If you're undocumented, it seems that you wouldn't be included in that count. And people doing something illegal (namely the employers) wouldn't report their illegal activity, right? So - it doesn't matter what employment sector, does it? What numbers are there to count? I'll bet Amy L. would know the answer!
Although, I suppose if you look at the insanely huge volumes of fruits and vegetables that are picked every day to be delivered to our supermarkets (and food co-ops) every day...and then look at the average wages of registered citizens...you could see the gap and deduce.
(That is, there wouldn't be enough people making low enough wages to account for all the food that gets picked!...and other jobs that get done, too.)
I'm not sure about all of it....but I know fraudulent activities account for some....we have an estimated 20,000 applications/per month for phone service (in texas alone) that turn out to be illegal immigrants....it accounts for about $500,000.00/per month in lost revenue....you know that would almost cover what the company pays in health care costs!
4 comments:
I asked Jon. And he said they "estimate". But not very well. And when I asked him again realized I wanted an actual answer so he said this:
"i imagine they estimate based on the number they catch versus the number they examine, plus estimates based on employment numbers in various sectors, etc"
Exactly! Employment numbers in various sectors! Like agriculture, construction, etc...
I was imagining a counter at the border. But that's not how it's done.
I have wondered this, too, and I am still stuck...because, aren't the "numbers" usually gleaned from documents such as taxes? If you're undocumented, it seems that you wouldn't be included in that count. And people doing something illegal (namely the employers) wouldn't report their illegal activity, right? So - it doesn't matter what employment sector, does it? What numbers are there to count? I'll bet Amy L. would know the answer!
Although, I suppose if you look at the insanely huge volumes of fruits and vegetables that are picked every day to be delivered to our supermarkets (and food co-ops) every day...and then look at the average wages of registered citizens...you could see the gap and deduce.
(That is, there wouldn't be enough people making low enough wages to account for all the food that gets picked!...and other jobs that get done, too.)
Katie
I'm not sure about all of it....but I know fraudulent activities account for some....we have an estimated 20,000 applications/per month for phone service (in texas alone) that turn out to be illegal immigrants....it accounts for about $500,000.00/per month in lost revenue....you know that would almost cover what the company pays in health care costs!
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