Immigration and Its Impact on U.S. Jobs: A Look at the Facts.
Former President Donald Trump frequently argues that immigration harms the U.S. job market. At a rally on September 21 in Wilmington, North Carolina, he claimed, “They’re taking your jobs.”
Immigration is a significant concern for many Republican voters. According to a Pew Research Center survey, 82% of Trump supporters consider immigration “very important” when deciding their vote in the upcoming 2024 presidential election. This issue ranks just behind the economy. In contrast, Pew found that immigration is the lowest priority for Democratic voters. The survey included responses from 9,720 U.S. adults collected between August 26 and September 2.
Despite these concerns, research shows that immigrants positively influence the economy. Economists studying immigration’s effects on the labor market agree that immigrants do not generally take jobs away from U.S.-born workers or lower their wages.
“Overall, there is strong consensus that immigration does not significantly harm U.S.-born workers, especially with the type of immigration we have historically experienced,” said Alexander Arnon, director of business tax and economic analysis at the Penn Wharton Budget Model.
Economic Benefits of Immigration
Economists outline several reasons why immigration is beneficial for the economy and job market.
First, the job market is dynamic and constantly evolving. Immigrants may fill existing jobs, but they also create new opportunities. They do this by spending in local economies and starting their own businesses. A 2020 research paper from the National Bureau of Economic Research indicated that immigrants are 80% more likely to become entrepreneurs compared to native workers.
The recent influx of immigrants is projected to contribute $8.9 trillion, or 3.2%, to the U.S. GDP over the next decade, according to the Congressional Budget Office, which provides nonpartisan analysis for Congress.
Michael Clemens, a professor at George Mason University and an economist, remarked, “That’s enormous. It creates jobs, raises pay, and increases the complexity of the U.S. economy.”
Additionally, immigrants often complement U.S. citizens rather than directly compete with them for jobs. However, some research indicates that immigration can affect the wages of specific groups of U.S.-born workers, particularly those with lower educational attainment.
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