Egypt Daily News – Former President Donald Trump has made controversial remarks regarding immigration, claiming that immigrants—both legal and illegal—are taking what he refers to as “black jobs” and “Latino jobs.”
He has emphasized a strong deportation plan as part of his presidential campaign, describing the influx of immigrants as an “invasion” that is detrimental to job prospects for native-born Americans.
However, numerous studies and data contradict Trump’s assertions about the impact of immigration on the labor market. Economists generally agree that migrant labor does not take jobs away from local workers; instead, migrants often fill roles that local populations are unwilling to take, especially in sectors like agriculture and food processing.
Giovanni Perry, an economist, noted that the arrival of new immigrant labor can actually enhance job opportunities and wages for local workers, as seen in his research on the effects of Cuban immigration in Miami during the 1980s.
The claim that a mass deportation campaign could be economically beneficial is also challenged. Experts estimate that such a campaign could cost U.S. taxpayers up to a trillion dollars and lead to significant increases in the cost of essential goods, such as food and housing.
Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has highlighted the importance of immigrant labor for workforce growth and economic expansion, saying that immigration contributes positively to the economy without taking jobs from native workers.
In essence, while Trump frames immigrants as a threat to job security for African American and Latino workers, extensive research suggests that immigrant labor plays a vital role in supporting and driving economic growth in the United States.
