Data shows migrants aren’t taking jobs from Black or Hispanic people, despite what Trump says

Oct 12, 2024 Story by: Editor

Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump has promised a large-scale deportation operation if he is elected, claiming that both legal and illegal immigrants are taking away “Black jobs” and “Hispanic jobs.” Trump believes these workers are displacing native-born individuals in crucial employment sectors.

However, data from the government suggests that immigrant labor actually boosts economic growth and offers opportunities for native-born workers to advance. Experts warn that mass deportations could cost U.S. taxpayers up to a trillion dollars and lead to a sharp rise in the cost of living, including food and housing.

What Trump Has Said

During his campaign, Trump has frequently spoken against immigrants, claiming they are responsible for taking jobs meant for Black and Hispanic populations. At a rally in Reading, Pennsylvania, Trump said, “You have an invasion of people into our country,” and added, “They’re going to be attacking — and they already are — Black population jobs, the Hispanic population jobs, and they’re attacking union jobs too.” His remarks have been criticized by Democrats and Black leaders, who call it a divisive and insulting narrative.

Janiyah Thomas, director of Team Trump Black Media, supported Trump’s stance, stating, “Democrats continue to prioritize the interests of illegal immigrants over our own Black Americans who were born in this country,” and attributed the Biden administration’s job market gains to illegal immigration.

The Role of Immigration in the U.S. Growth

In 2023, over two-thirds of the U.S. population growth came from international migrants, mainly from Latin America. Despite claims that immigrants take jobs from native-born citizens, economists argue that these workers often take roles native-born Americans avoid, like agricultural and food processing jobs. According to Giovanni Peri, a labor economist, “We have many more vacancies than workers in this type of manual labor, in fact, we need many more of them to fill these roles.”

Stan Marek, who runs a construction company, emphasized that immigrants are not taking jobs from native-born workers, stating, “Absolutely not, unequivocally.” He explained that many of his workers are retiring, and younger generations are not interested in entering the construction trade. Marek believes a proper identification system is essential to ensure security while allowing immigrants to work legally.

Impact of Mass Deportations on the Economy

Economists, including Peri, warn that mass deportations would significantly harm the U.S. economy. He estimates the cost to the economy would reach a trillion dollars, leading to higher prices for basic goods like food. Peri added, “They are massive contributors to our economy and we wouldn’t have fruits and vegetables, we wouldn’t have our gardens” if deportations occurred.

Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen also highlighted the importance of immigrant labor, noting that it helps drive economic growth without reducing opportunities for others. In a podcast with David Axelrod, she said, “It’s not in any way a zero-sum game.”

In conclusion, while Trump’s proposed deportation plan aims to protect native-born workers, the economic data shows that immigrant labor is a critical component of the U.S. economy. Source: AP News