Former President Donald Trump made false claims about job growth under President Biden during a campaign rally in Nevada in June, stating that almost all new jobs had gone to illegal immigrants. However, data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that the number of US-born workers has increased since Biden took office. While the number of foreign-born workers has increased at a faster rate, economists credit this influx as a reason for the US labor market remaining strong.
There are caveats to consider, such as how Trump is defining illegal aliens and the lack of specific data on the groups of foreign-born workers. Despite Trump’s claims that undocumented immigrants are destroying America, Bureau of Labor Statistics data show that more native-born people were employed in May compared to May 2021. There is no definitive data on how many immigrants without work permits are employed, but a recent analysis by Standard Chartered Bank estimated that about half of recent job growth went to immigrants with legal authorization to work.
The economy has added about 230,000 jobs a month in the current fiscal year, with immigrant workers accounting for just under half of that growth according to the analysis. In fiscal year 2023, these immigrants likely held more than 25% of the 3.1 million jobs added. Recent surges of immigration are contributing to the increase in the share of immigrant workers in the current fiscal year. Some economists argue that looking at the share of people working, rather than the number, provides a more accurate picture of employment trends.
While the share of employed foreign-born individuals has been increasing, the share of native-born workers has also risen since Biden took office. However, the share of employed foreign-born men has consistently been higher than the share of working native-born men since 2007. Experts attribute this trend to various factors such as declines in certain industries, advances in technology, globalization, and criminal convictions among men. The declining labor force participation rates among native-born men over the past few decades have led to theories about the challenges they face in finding work.
Overall, despite Trump’s claims, the data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics does not support his assertion that nearly all new jobs under Biden have gone to illegal immigrants. The increase in job growth has benefited both native-born and foreign-born workers, with immigrants making up a significant portion of recent job additions. The analysis by Standard Chartered Bank sheds light on the contributions of immigrants with legal work authorization to the US economy. Looking at the share of people working provides valuable insights into employment trends and demographic changes in the labor force.
