Check out this story in today’s Deseret News on illegal immigrant smugglers in southern Utah.
A natural effect of banning an activity or commodity with a continued demand is the creation of a black market. Such was the case with Prohibition yesterday, marijuana today, and is the case with illegal immigrants from south of the border.
There are several problems with black markets. Obviously, they cannot be taxed. Most importantly, black markets operate beyond the safety and protection of law enforcement. Beyond breaking the original prohibitive law, black markets spawn further crime and violence. And because stability isn’t provided by law, that vacuum is usually filled by organized crime.
Good comprehensive immigration reform will eliminate the black market that transports illegal immigrants. This black market is a danger to those who use it as well as anyone else on the road. And of course, this markets enforcers are not law enforcement officials- its organized crime.
