Conclusion

Remittances up until this date have been largely neglected within many discussions of immigration policy. Within this paper a sketch of a possible structure which, even if rough, exemplifies the scope of this policy, as well as an interesting path forward for immigration policy. I contend that postal remittance services can improve the well-being of immigrants, their families, their home countries, as well as a domestic institution in the Postal Service. Furthermore, remittance regulation as detailed above offers the possibility of maximizing immigration’s overall effects upon society by correcting its possible negative wage effects, maximizing its potential to diversify workplaces and hence increase productivity growth, fight segregation and racial discrimination, and help struggling towns and cities regain population and a tax base. Immigrants and their families domestic and abroad will benefit from a consistent, accessible, and affordable remittance service stationed as close as the local post office. Although bold or outlandish depending on one’s perspective, the task of public policy is to tackle the public’s problems with every means necessary and proper. If that means rethinking American immigration and remittance policy, so be it.