The immigrant share of the labor force reached a record high of 18.6% in 2023, according to our analysis of Current Population Survey (CPS) data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.1 Anti-immigration advocates have been out in full force, using this as a talking point for deeply misguided commentary and analysis that roughly translates to “immigrants are taking all our jobs.”
The reality is that the economy does not have a fixed number of jobs, and what we see today is a growing economy that is adding jobs for both immigrants and U.S.-born workers. Here are six key facts that show immigrants are not hurting the employment outcomes of U.S.-born workers.
- The unemployment rate for U.S.-born workers averaged 3.6% in 2023, the lowest rate on record. Obviously, immigration is not causing high unemployment among U.S.-born workers.
- The share of prime-age U.S.-born individuals with a job is at its highest rate in more than two decades. In 2023, the prime-age (ages 25–54) employment-to-population ratio (EPOP) for U.S.-born individuals was 81.4%, up from […]
“ The truth is without immigrants the cost of your food, for instance, would be much higher.”
That is really it.
If companies had to pay competitive wages in their market place they would have to pay more and costs would go up. Instead they have the option of importing workers that are relatively impoverished that will work on the cheap.
I have owned companies on both sides of several borders both international and intranational and have used the technique to break local labor markets several times. When I was a capitalist I called it “just business”, which it was for a privileged class as the profits accrued to me and a few others of my class. The profit did not trickle down.
The cheap food in our stores and the depressed prices we pay for construction, service and maintenance workers is bought at the price of their hurt and anguish.
We are about to see the greatest labor displacement of all as artificial intelligence and robotic systems replace most professionals and other laborers. My sense is that AI will make migration even when fueled by climate and political disturbance look like nothing. This article is just a tiny warning from a small industry. https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/tyler-perry-ai-alarm-1235833276/
Imagine that we had a world economy that served all the people not just the owner class or that we all had an equal share in our society. Maybe we wouldn’t need to fear not having enough.
PS: Be sure and watch U6 unemployment rates.
When will American learn that the US absolutely NEEDS immigrants?! It is utter stupidity, racism, xenophobia and who knows what else that sounds the alarms of immigrants coming to this country. Our birth rate is lower and hiring signs are all over the place because we need workers, especially those who do the jobs that American won’t do! They are the hardest working people doing the worst kind of work that is so essential to our country and the attitude toward them must change. In the short term, they just want jobs, not charity. When they are eventually established, they are good citizens usually grateful for being here and vote and make sure their children are educated who also become good citizens. Wake up, America! Xenophobia is stupid and actually harmful to this country.
Terri Quint
Not surprised. Wrote an article about it while in Charlottesville