Google searching for the economic causes of illegal immigration and illegal employment practices

President Bush is set to speak about immigration to the nation tonight. My expectations are not high, not because it is President Bush speaking, but because, by all accounts, he will be delivering the consensus opinion we've already heard from Republicans and Democrats so far this year.

Let's revisit a basic fact. People from Mexico are willing to take the risk of entering the United States illegally to find work. Americans are willing to take the risk of illegally hiring them. That might indicate that there is some fundamental economic cause of these twin events.

However, when I Googled the news for illegal immigration, NAFTA, and economic consequences, I didn't find much discussion in the news outlets about what fundamental economic events might be causing illegal immigration and illegal employment practices.

I remain ignorant about economic cause, effect, and consequences, but it appears I am not alone. I suppose I'll have to work much harder at finding meaningful analysis, although I suspect I already know a good part of it. I'll reserve judgment until I am better informed.