Final answer:
Critics argue that guest worker programs threaten jobs for U.S. workers by potentially displacing local labor and contributing to lower wages for low-skilled workers. This concern is supported by studies and proposals focusing on the labor market effects of immigration, particularly in relation to low-skill and high-skill positions.
Step-by-step explanation:
Critics of guest worker programs often raise concerns that they threaten jobs for U.S. workers. These programs are designed to fill gaps in the labor market by allowing foreign nationals to temporarily work in the country.
However, some argue that rather than supplementing the workforce, they simply displace local workers, potentially leading to lower wages and less job security for citizens.
Considering the evidence presented, it becomes clear that immigration policies and debates tend to revolve around the balance between the need for skilled labor and the protection of the local workforce.
Proposals such as those from the Congressional Jordan Commission suggest prioritizing high-skilled immigration to mitigate any negative effects on low-skilled workers' wages.
Moreover, the high-tech industry in the United States has frequently lobbied for more lenient policies regarding highly skilled workers, like the H1B visa program, to fill positions in fields that are in high demand domestically.
Conversely, concerns also emerge around low-wage earning immigrants who often find themselves in precarious positions, with minimal opportunities to advance or legally secure their status due to the structure of immigration laws and labor demands.
These concerns are exemplified by studies showing reduced wages and opportunities for domestic low-skill workers when the labor market is saturated with low-skilled immigrant labor.
Therefore, when examining these complex dynamics, it is apparent that guest worker programs do indeed carry the risk of threatening jobs for U.S. workers, especially those in lower-wage and lower-skill sectors, rather than encouraging illegal immigration, relying on economic restructuring, or directly limiting immigration as a whole.
In conclusion, the correct option answer to the criticism of guest worker programs is that they threaten jobs for U.S. workers (Option d).