Many illegal immigrants work in the US and send a significant amount of money back to their home country. That seems a net negative to US interests, in terms of competition for jobs and the overall benefit to the economy. What are the ethical and karmic responsibilities of migrant workers?

This is an often-cited reason to look disparagingly on immigrants, especially those without legal status. Whether legal or illegal, the desire to support one’s relatives is a divine impulse because all are interconnected and none more so than one’s blood relations, and this is both ethical and moral to do when one has the means. The fact there is a geographic separation is a product of circumstances, and more so the limitation on entry to the United States than the desire of the immigrants themselves to be part of a fractured family. Most would prefer to bring their entire families along if this were feasible. In many cases it is not, both because of the legal barriers to admission as well as the limits on being able to survive economically if some cannot work or adapt to US society and maintain their own support through their own efforts, and with the higher cost of living this is not feasible. So they are truly a victim of circumstance. This is not chosen or desired, and in that respect, creates no karmic obligation. There are always some degrees of responsibility in everything that happens, and many activities have a mix of positive and negative elements. We regard this practice as more beneficial than harmful to humanity overall, and while there is a loss to the American economy by not having the money spent within its borders, if there is useful work being performed no one would argue that the worker has the ultimate right to decide how each and every penny of that money is spent. It is not for others to judge. The problems of society go beyond the actions of the immigrants and their choices to further support their own family. In most cases, it is not truly as much a choice as an obligation. They are carrying a very large burden indeed, and are to be admired for taking the burden on themselves and the risks as well, and staying true to their values and the bonds of family to be providers in this way.