US Labor Force Sees 1.2 Million Immigrant Drop as Stricter Policies Take Hold
US Labor Force Sees 1.2 Million Immigrant Drop as Stricter Policies Take Hold
Preliminary data from the U.S. Census Bureau, analyzed by the Pew Research Center, reveals a significant decline of over 1.2 million immigrants from the American labor force between January and July 2025. This stark reduction, encompassing both undocumented and legal residents, is directly attributed to President Donald Trump’s intensified immigration policies, sparking widespread concern among economists and industry leaders.
As the nation observed Labor Day, the ripple effects of these policies are becoming increasingly evident across critical sectors. Immigrants constitute nearly 20% of the U.S. workforce, with a disproportionate presence in farming (45%), construction (30%), and service industries (24%). The exodus poses a severe threat to these foundational sectors, already grappling with labor shortages.
Reports from agricultural hubs, including California’s Central Valley and McAllen, Texas, confirm the impact. Farmworkers like Lidia, a mother of three U.S.-born children, live in constant fear of deportation, a sentiment echoed across the immigrant community. Advocates like Elizabeth Rodriguez of the National Farmworker Ministry highlight instances of crops going to waste due to a lack of available hands, particularly after immigration enforcement actions at farms and businesses.
Economists, including Pia Orrenius from the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, warn that immigrants typically contribute at least half of the nation’s job growth. With border crossings reportedly plummeting, the capacity to create new jobs is severely impacted. Beyond agriculture, the construction industry is seeing job declines in numerous metropolitan areas, while the healthcare sector, heavily reliant on immigrant home health aides, faces an impending crisis.
While the full extent to which the decline is due to voluntary departures, deportations, or other factors remains under investigation, experts affirm the reality of the shrinking immigrant workforce. The ongoing enforcement actions have fostered an environment of fear, leading to significant disruptions in labor supply chains and raising urgent questions about the future of key American industries.
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