Staff Reports
President Biden has overseen a big increase in immigration, both legal and illegal, and a new report shows that less than half of the new arrivals are working. The report, released on Monday, by the Center for Immigration Studies, looked at Census Bureau numbers and found that only 46% of the immigrants who came in the last two years have jobs. This challenges the idea that immigrants are essential for the economy.
The report also found that most immigrants are not even looking for work. Many are not in the labor force at all, including children, the elderly, and caregivers. The report’s authors, Steven A. Camarota and Karen Zeigler, said, “Immigration clearly adds workers to the country, but it just as clearly adds non-workers who need to be supported by the labor of others.”
President Biden has overseen the fastest expansion of immigration — legal and illegal — in history, but less than half of the newcomers are holding jobs, according to a new report released Monday. https://t.co/HKplyp7Z01
— The Washington Times (@WashTimes) May 13, 2024
The number of immigrants in the U.S. reached 51.6 million in March 2024, a 5.1 million increase from March 2022, the biggest two-year rise ever. Immigrants now make up 15.6% of the total U.S. population, a new record. The report warned that the U.S. could hit 18% by the end of the decade, raising questions about the country’s ability to successfully integrate and assimilate the immigrants.
The impact of immigration on the economy is also a point of debate. The economy grows faster with more people, according to the Congressional Budget Office. However, the average worker may be slightly worse off because the larger population means the economic pie is divided among more people. This can particularly affect lower-income workers who are more likely to compete with less-educated newcomers, especially in times of high illegal immigration.
The authors of the report also pointed out that efforts by the Biden administration to provide work permits to newly arrived illegal immigrants have not significantly impacted their employment. Worksite enforcement in the U.S. is seen as lenient, and lack of work authorization does not seem to hinder the employment of illegal immigrants.
This new report raises questions about the impact of immigration on the U.S. economy and the ability to assimilate the growing number of immigrants. It highlights the need to ensure that immigration policies support the country’s economic needs and the well-being of both current citizens and immigrants.
