The Facts Based on Independent Economic Research
Below are the most common objections along with the facts, sourced from independent economic research and federal data.
1. “They’re taking jobs from Americans.”
Job postings in agriculture, construction, and hospitality go unfilled even after employers raise wages and expand outreach. Idaho’s unemployment rate is 3.7%, which effectively means full employment. These positions aren’t being taken from Americans. They are positions Americans are not filling. The economic study documents 44,000 unfilled jobs across Idaho right now. That mean there are 84 workers for every 100 job openings according to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
Furthermore, there were 7,626 jobs in Idaho advertised by farmers in 2025 and only 5 Americans applied. The domestic labor supply to replace this workforce does not exist. (Peterson & Nadreau, Feb. 2026; BLS)
2. “Workers are paid under the table.”
Employers complete I-9 paperwork for everyone hired in their operations and their paychecks look like any other employee who has taxes taken out. It is illegal to question the authenticity of the documents provided during the hiring process.
3. “There’s already a visa for these workers.”
No year-round agricultural, construction, or hospitality visa exists. Yet 47% of conservative voters incorrectly believe one does.
4. “Idaho businesses could hire American workers.”
Idaho’s unemployment is 3.7% with open jobs. The domestic workforce to replace these workers does not exist. Again, there are only 84 available workers for every 100 jobs.
5. “This is just about helping immigrant workers.”
27,093 of 55,818 projected job losses fall on American-born Idahoans. 51% of conservative voters say shortages would hurt them personally. This is an Idaho economy issue.6. “Just raise wages and Americans will do these jobs.”
Wages have been raised repeatedly across these industries, and the roles remain unfilled. These are physically demanding, year-round positions, often in rural locations, starting before dawn, in conditions most domestic workers decline even at higher pay. The H-2A adverse effect wage rate already sets a federally mandated minimum for agricultural workers that is more than twice Idaho’s minimum wage. The problem is not wages. It is the absence of a legal workforce pathway that matches the actual demand. (DOL; Peterson & Nadreau, Feb. 2026)7. “Just automate these jobs.”
Automation is already being adopted across Idaho’s agricultural and construction sectors, and it has created new jobs alongside the ones it has changed. But it cannot fully replace human labor in key tasks: hand harvesting, animal care, finishing trades in construction, and food service. Federal workforce planning needs to balance technology investment with the reality that human labor remains essential in these industries for the foreseeable future.8. “Mandatory E-Verify would solve this.”
Employers already fulfill their legal obligation by completing Form I-9 for every hire. That is where employer responsibility ends. The federal government is responsible for the integrity of the documents it issues and the verification systems it maintains. E-Verify, as a standalone flawed federal mandate, without new visa pathways, doesn’t solve the workforce problem. It removes workers from a supply-constrained market with no legal replacement available, accelerating the $5.1 billion in projected economic losses documented in this study. (Peterson & Nadreau, Feb. 2026)9. Legal pathways do not equal citizenship
Creating a pathway involves background checks, payment of back taxes, and monetary fines for being in the country without status.
10. “Fix the border first, then we’ll talk reform.”
The border is secure. ”Today, our border is secure.” -President Trump has made sweeping changes to immigration enforcement | AP News
11. “They don’t pay taxes.”
Foreign-born workers in Idaho’s essential industries pay sales taxes, property taxes, and, in almost all cases, payroll taxes, contributing to systems they cannot personally access. The economic study projects $397.8 million in lost state and local tax revenues if this workforce is disrupted. That is money currently flowing into Idaho’s tax base from these workers and the industries they support. Losing them doesn’t just cost jobs. It costs the state budget.
12. “My family came here legally. Why should others get a pass?”
Earlier generations came through a system that had accessible, achievable pathways for workers and their families to work year-round. Today, no such pathway exists for the year-round essential worker roles Idaho depends on. The goal of reform is not to give anyone a pass; it is to restore what earlier generations had: a process that works. One that today’s workers can actually use.
13. “These industries just want cheap labor.”
Idaho’s farms and home building companies are not corporate giants seeking to cut costs. They are family-owned operations competing in markets with federally mandated wage floors. The workforce gap exists not because employers are unwilling to pay fair wages, but because no year-round work visas exist to bring workers in at any wage. The need is structural, not financial.
Financial Planing FAQ’s
Common questions on financial planning and investing
What should a financial plan include?
A solid financial plan ought to cover a thorough look at your personal goals and aspirations, alongside an evaluation of your investment holdings. It should map out your expected income and expenses both before and after retirement, weigh the pros and cons of different retirement and investment account options, and outline strategies for retirement preparation, tax efficiency, charitable contributions, and safeguarding your assets through insurance.
On top of that, it should offer clear, actionable advice and steps to turn your goals into reality. To guide you toward the best decisions, a good plan will also lay out a variety of potential scenarios—plus some alternative ones—for you to consider.
Can you help me plan for retirement?
Retirement age varies widely from person to person. The big question is whether you’ve got enough saved up to support the lifestyle you’re aiming for, especially since retirement could stretch on for 30 years or longer. Your income during those years will likely come from a mix of sources: retirement accounts and savings, a pension if you have one, brokerage accounts, Social Security payments, annuity income if you’ve set that up, and any other investments you’ve built over time.
What is your investment philosophy?
We base our investment approach on evidence and decades of market history, not guesswork about the future. Research shows market timing doesn’t work. Instead, we focus on what you can control: risk, asset allocation, costs, and taxes. Emotional decisions often hurt long-term returns, so we aim to avoid those pitfalls.
Diversification lowers risk—not just by holding many assets, but by mixing company sizes, sectors, and balancing stocks and bonds. Risk can’t be erased, but it can be managed.
We keep expenses low with cost-effective mutual funds and ETFs, since high fees can erode even a well-diversified portfolio’s gains.
Taxes matter too. While unavoidable, they can be minimized with a smart, tax-aware strategy.
Will I have a dedicated advisor?
Absolutely, you’ll have your own personal advisor. At Execor, we’re all about building a strong, one-on-one connection between you and your advisor. We know everyone’s financial path is different, so we pair every client with a dedicated advisor who’s focused on getting to know you and helping you reach your unique financial goals.
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