Rockefeller Commission on Population Growth and the American Future

Report - Monday, March 27, 1972

Immigration Levels at the time of the final report:

• Average annual legal immigration: 376,000
• Average annual deportations + voluntary departures: 392,000
• Estimated illegal population: 1,500,00014

The Rockefeller Commission—proposed by President Richard Nixon in July, 1969, and mandated by Congress in legislation enacted in March, 1970—is the only commission ever to be asked to examine likely rates of population growth, how such growth will impact every aspect of this country’s future, including the provision of government services, the economy, and natural resources and the environment, and to make recommendations on the nation’s best course of action. The Commission is named after its Chairman, John D. Rockefeller, III.

Clearly, the scope of the Rockefeller Commission’s mandate was much broader than just immigration. Because immigration was a leading component (and is now the leading component) of population growth in the United States, though, it was an issue of great import to the bipartisan Commission.

Overall, the Commission concluded:

After two years of concentrated effort, we have concluded that, in the long run, no substantial benefits will result from further growth of the Nation’s population, rather that the gradual stabilization of our population through voluntary means would contribute significantly to the Nation’s ability to solve its problems. We have looked for, and have not found, any convincing economic argument for continued population growth. The health of our country does not depend on it, nor does the vitality of business nor the welfare of the average person.

Despite its broad mandate, the Rockefeller Commission found the impact of illegal immigration on American workers to be of such concern that it warranted special attention:

The economic problems exacerbated by illegal aliens are manifold and affect the labor market and social services. It is often profitable for employers to hire illegal aliens for low wages and under poor working conditions; these workers will not risk discovery of their unlawful status by complaining or organizing. Thus, illegal aliens (who usually take unskilled or low-skilled positions) not only deprive citizens and permanent resident aliens of jobs, but also depress the wage scale and working conditions in areas where they are heavily concentrated.

The Commission addressed immigration—both legal and illegal—in its final report, Population Growth and the American Future, and it made the following recommendations, as well:

The Commission believes that it is imperative for this country to address itself, first, to the problems of its own disadvantaged and poor. The flow of immigrants should be closely regulated until this country can provide adequate social and economic opportunities for all its present members, particularly those traditionally discriminated against because of race, ethnicity, or sex.

Thus, the Commission believes that an effectively implemented and flexible labor certification program is necessary to ensure that immigrants do not compete with residents for work.... In order for Congress and immigration officials to consider these economic problems, apply appropriate regulations, and expect the economic conflicts to be alleviated, they must also eliminate the flow of illegal immigrants. As has been shown, the economic and social problems associated with illegal immigrants have reached significant proportions.

The Commission recommends that Congress immediately consider the serious situation of illegal immigration and pass legislation which will impose civil and criminal sanctions on employers of illegal border- crossers or aliens in an immigration status in which employment is not authorized.

The Commission recommends that immigration levels not be increased [from its current level of below 400,000 per year] and that immigration policy be reviewed periodically to reflect demographic conditions and considerations.