So here’s a thought, but first, consider these statistics:

In 2016, in 26 states, the number of non-Hispanic whites who died was greater than the number of non-Hispanic whites who were born in those states, according to an analysis by the U.S. Census Bureau that was released last week. The 26 states were a diverse group in terms of geography and demographics, from Maine to Alabama to California. Nationwide in 2016, there were 0.98 births for every death among non-Hispanic whites, a rate lower than that of blacks (1.71), Asians (3.87) and Latinos (4.88).

I have seen numbers like these before on a national scale. We are tottering on the edge of population regression. People get married less, marry later, have fewer children, and these factors contribute to our population decline – at least among white Americans. Most European countries are well beyond us in this population regression cycle.

Blacks, Asians, Latinos and others have more children than whites do. If the trend continues, whites will become the minority as compared to non-whites. My children went to a school district in which whites are already the minority.

So what are the implications of this development?

In light of the immigration controversy, increased immigration will only extenuate the “problem” – if indeed it is a problem. I suppose that is a matter of point of view.

Regardless of one’s views on immigration, there are implications that flow from the trend exposed by these statistics. If the traditional, white majority population is shrinking … and aging… who is going to fill the void in the workforce and support us as we shrink and age? Who will be paying into the Social Security and Medicaid systems to sustain them?

And let’s be real: immigration isn’t going to stop. We have always had immigration, and we always will. The immigrant families that come here will grow, even as the traditional white population shrinks. In that light, consider how we are treating them.

These people will make up part of the future work force that sustains our economy and supports us as we age. This has been the traditional role of immigrants throughout our short history. They supplied the labor engine that propelled our economy into one of the greatest in history. First generation immigrants often work the jobs native born people don’t want, and second and third generation immigrants go on to earn college degrees, and masters and doctoral degrees.

It’s the way it always worked, only those immigrants for many years were predominantly “white”. Now they aren’t. So what?! American has always been a melting pot, and now all the more. I say the more the better.