Progressive author Matthew Yglesias, who advocates for tripling the U.S. population to 1 billion through mass migration, is asking his readers for ideas on how to push the unpopular policy past voters.
“Even the best immigration arguments probably aren’t big winners,” Yglesias wrote in his March 25 blog entry. “It makes a lot more sense [for Democrats] to duck the [immigration] issue… all factions of Democrats seem largely aligned on this,” he said.
He suggested that Democrats avoid direct debate on immigration and instead rely on litigation to challenge Trump’s border security measures. “This is why, when it comes to immigration, many of the Trump administration’s most egregious excesses are going to be fought primarily through litigation rather than vocal politics,” Yglesias wrote before asking his readers for strategies to advance mass migration policies.
Yglesias claims that Americans inherently oppose migration due to “Malthusian intuitions,” referencing economist Thomas Malthus, who theorized that population growth leads to resource scarcity. This argument dismisses concerns that mass migration depresses wages, inflates housing costs, and burdens public services.
Critics, such as Mark Krikorian of the Center for Immigration Studies, argue that Yglesias’ stance reflects progressive elitism that disregards working-class struggles. “What he’s basically saying is, ‘People aren’t up to my standards,’” Krikorian said, adding that policymakers must work within societal norms rather than imposing radical changes.
Yglesias admits that his pro-migration stance is partially personal, noting that his ancestors immigrated before numerical quotas were established. He also advocates increasing white-collar visas, arguing that “highly paid workers” should be prioritized for entry.
Resistance to mass migration, Krikorian contends, is natural and reasonable. “Policymakers have to work with the grain of human nature, not against it,” he stated. Breitbart has extensively documented the economic harm of visa programs like H-1B, which undermine American professionals and hinder innovation.
Despite the 2024 electoral defeat of Democrats, business-funded advocacy groups continue pushing for more foreign labor. Meanwhile, Republicans argue that restricting migration will boost wages and create a more self-sufficient workforce for American citizens.
