Maria worked cleaning schools in Florida for $13 an hour. Every two weeks, she would receive a $900 paycheck from her employer, a contractor. For her and her 11-year-old son, it was just enough to cover their rent in a shared house, as well as expenses for electricity, groceries, and a cellphone.
But in August, everything changed.
Upon reporting for work, Maria learned from her boss that she could no longer be employed there. The Trump administration had ended a humanitarian parole program initiated by President Joe Biden, which had granted work permits to Cubans, Haitians, Venezuelans, and other marginalized immigrants like Maria.
I feel desperate, said 48-year-old Maria, who wished to remain anonymous due to fears of detention and deportation. I don’t have any money to buy anything. I have $5 in my account. I’m left with nothing.
Trump’s immigration crackdown is displacing workers like Maria, causing upheaval in the U.S. economy as the labor market faces growing uncertainty influenced by Trump's unpredictable trade strategies. Immigrants typically perform jobs such as cleaning houses, picking crops, and skilled labor, often for lower wages than native-born Americans, yet they also contribute significantly to the U.S. economy through diverse skills and entrepreneurial efforts.
Economists and community leaders have noted that the recent clampdown on immigration will likely exacerbate existing labor shortages, especially as hiring has already shown signs of declining. Maria’s situation reflects a broader trend that could impact hiring and economic growth significantly, with immigration policy playing a pivotal role.
“The new immigration policy will lead to labor shortages,” stated Rob Liebreich, CEO of Goodwin Living, a Virginia non-profit, who was forced to lay off several immigrant workers after their work permits were revoked. He added, “We need all those hands. We need all these people.”
Research shows that the decrease in foreign workers will likely hinder job growth in the coming years, especially as the U.S. labor market has become increasingly reliant on immigrant labor. A recent report suggests monthly job growth could hit near-zero or even negative figures because of these policies, which are aimed at curbing immigration.
As companies struggle to fill roles traditionally held by immigrants, many predict negative repercussions for the economy at large. A report released by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office highlighted the detrimental effects Trump’s immigration policies could bring, revising its forecast for economic growth downward.
“Immigrants are essential to the economy,” asserted economist Lee Branstetter. “The changes in immigration policy will only increase inflation, lead to job losses, and decrease productivity.”
Farmers, particularly, are feeling the effects as immigration raids and a lack of available workers threaten food production, resulting in potential price increases for consumers. The Labor Department has acknowledge significant disruptions due to the decrease in available farm workers, underscoring the need for a balanced approach to immigration that recognizes its economic value.
In closing, Trump's immigration policies are proving to be a double-edged sword, creating immediate issues for workers while stifling the long-term economic potential of a more diverse workforce in the U.S.
