Study Finds ICE Enforcement Reduced Employment for Some U.S.-Born Workers
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A new economic study finds that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity during the Trump administration's second term had a negative impact on employment for U.S.-born men with a high school education or less in sectors like construction. The research suggests this was due to a reduction in overall labor demand, not a wage increase to attract domestic workers. The findings come amid a strong overall job market and ongoing debate about immigration's role in the labor force.
Facts First
- ICE enforcement reduced employment for U.S.-born men with at most a high-school education in sectors like construction.
- The study found no evidence that employers raised wages to attract U.S.-born workers, pointing instead to reduced overall demand.
- In areas with an enforcement 'surge,' employment among likely undocumented workers still in the U.S. fell by 4% in likely affected jobs.
- The research is described as the first to study the national labor market impacts of the Trump 2.0 ICE blitz.
- The findings emerge alongside strong overall job market numbers, including a business hiring surge in March.
What Happened
A working paper published by the National Bureau of Economic Research found that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity had a 'negative and significant impact' on the employment of U.S.-born working men with at most a high-school education. The affected sectors were those likely impacted by enforcement, such as construction. The research, conducted by University of Colorado Boulder associate professor Chloe East and research assistant Elizabeth Cox, found no evidence that employers increased wages to attract U.S.-born workers. Instead, the results reflect a reduction in overall labor demand. The University of Colorado Boulder noted that in areas hit with an enforcement 'surge,' there was a 4% decrease in employment among likely undocumented workers still in the U.S. in likely affected jobs.
Why this Matters to You
If you or someone you know works in industries like construction without a college degree, this research suggests that immigration enforcement policies could affect job availability in your sector by reducing overall demand for labor. For businesses in these sectors, the findings indicate that enforcement actions may shrink the available workforce without a corresponding increase in wages to compensate. For policymakers, the study provides data on a specific labor market consequence of immigration enforcement, which may inform future decisions.
What's Next
The study's findings may contribute to the ongoing national debate about immigration policy and its economic effects. The White House has stated that 'there is no shortage of American minds and hands to grow our labor force,' suggesting a continued focus on domestic workers. Further research could examine the long-term economic impacts of these labor market shifts. The contrast between these sector-specific findings and the strong overall job market may lead to more targeted policy discussions.