One of the largest immigration raids in recent history was the 2006 raid against the Swift & Co. meatpacking corp. The raids hit several factories around the country, arresting around 1,300 illegal aliens. A full 23% of the Swift workforce was illegal.

The Center for Immigration Studies has followed the aftermath of the raids, and just published a report on working conditions at the plant. According to the study, the meatpacking industry is a perfect example of the downward pressure on wages exerted by illegal immigration. Amazingly, wages in meatpacking were 45% lower in 2007 than in 1981. Since the raids, the native-born percentage of the workforce has increased. Worker wages and bonuses also improved, rising an average of 8%. The authors also found little evidence that the immigration raids led to higher prices for consumers.