Donald Trump, the Republican presidential nominee, has vowed to enforce the largest deportation event in U.S. history if elected, with a focus on immigrants, both legal and illegal, who he claims are taking jobs away from Black and Hispanic Americans. However, government data suggests that immigrant labor actually contributes to economic growth and offers opportunities for native-born workers. Economists warn that a mass deportation could cost taxpayers up to a trillion dollars and lead to a spike in the cost of living, including food and housing.
During his campaign, Trump has used anti-immigrant rhetoric, including statements about an “invasion of people into our country” and claims that immigrants are attacking jobs held by Black, Hispanic, and union workers. His remarks have been criticized by Democrats and Black leaders, who view them as racist and offensive. His campaign has accused Democrats of prioritizing illegal immigrants over Black American citizens and claimed that job gains under the Biden administration are mainly due to illegal immigration.
Data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reveals that native-born Black workers are primarily employed in management and financial operations, sales, and office support roles, while native-born Latino workers are often found in management, office support, sales, and service positions. Foreign-born, noncitizen Black workers are commonly represented in transportation and health care support roles, while foreign-born, noncitizen Hispanic workers are frequently seen in construction and grounds cleaning jobs. The contribution of immigrants, particularly from Latin America, has been a significant factor in the population growth of the United States over the past decade.
According to economist Giovanni Peri, immigrants, particularly those in the U.S. illegally, are not taking jobs from native workers but are filling roles that many Americans are unwilling to do, such as positions in agriculture and food processing. Research indicates that the influx of immigrant labor can actually enhance employment outcomes for native workers by creating new opportunities in existing firms. Employers like Stan Marek, who runs a construction company in Houston, have observed a shortage of blue-collar workers and believe that immigrants play a crucial role in filling these labor-intensive roles.
The impact of mass deportations on the economy could be severe, with estimates suggesting a potential loss of up to a trillion dollars and a significant increase in the cost of essential items like food. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has emphasized the importance of immigrant labor in supporting economic growth and has stated that deporting immigrants would not only result in massive financial losses but also disrupt key industries like agriculture. Economists argue that the labor market impact of immigration in the U.S. is relatively small and may even lead to the creation of jobs for U.S.-born workers, as immigrants often contribute to filling vacancies that native workers are not interested in pursuing.
