The latest Bureau of Labor Statistics report highlights a notable trend in the U.S. labor market under the Biden-Harris administration, revealing that foreign-born workers have significantly gained ground while native-born Americans are increasingly being left behind. According to the report, the last year has seen native-born Americans lose approximately 800,000 jobs, contrasting sharply with the over 1 million jobs gained by foreign-born workers. Heritage Foundation Economist E.J. Antoni underscored this shift by noting that the U.S. labor landscape is evolving into a system that favors foreign workers and government employees, raising alarms about the broader implications for native workers.
E.J. Antoni further emphasizes the concerning statistic that native-born Americans currently hold 873,000 fewer jobs than they did prior to the pandemic, while the net job growth for foreign-born workers has surged by 3.7 million. This dynamic is contributing to mounting discontent among the American populace, as evidenced by the public’s growing frustration with economic conditions that appear to favor foreign labor over native-born individuals. Antoni’s observations signify a critical evaluation of how current economic policies may inadvertently disadvantage American workers in favor of foreign entrants into the labor market.
Former President Donald Trump has vocally criticized the Biden and Harris administration for its immigration policies, claiming that the influx of migrants—many of whom are illegally entering the U.S.—is directly responsible for job losses among native-born Americans. Trump argues that these policies undermine the economic stability of working-class Americans, who face increasing competition from newly arriving foreign workers. His assertions underscore a broader narrative surrounding labor competition, emphasizing the potential risks tied to open borders and immigration practices that prioritize foreign labor over domestic employment.
Further supporting this narrative, a Pew Research Center study conducted in July revealed that as of 2022, more than 30 million legal immigrants and illegal aliens were employed in the U.S. This figure represents a 20-percent increase over the prior 15 years, starkly contrasting with the less than 10 percent growth in the number of native-born Americans joining the workforce during the same timeframe. This growing reliance on foreign labor poses questions about the long-term viability of job prospects for Americans, especially those in lower-income brackets who are more susceptible to job displacement.
The implications of these trends extend beyond the immediate consequences for job seekers. They raise pressing questions about the structure of the U.S. economy, the effectiveness of immigration policies, and the prioritization of native-born workers’ interests amid shifting labor dynamics. Policymakers are now faced with the urgent challenge of addressing these inequities while ensuring that American workers are not further marginalized in favor of foreign labor, which could lead to a more polarized economic landscape where native-born citizens are left struggling to find opportunities.
In summary, the Bureau of Labor Statistics report casts a spotlight on the growing disparity in job markets favoring foreign-born workers at the expense of native-born Americans. As E.J. Antoni and others point out, the erosion of job opportunities for native workers amid burgeoning employment for foreign entrants is becoming a critical issue. This situation calls for a reevaluation of immigration policies and labor market strategies to foster a more balanced and equitable economic environment for all individuals contributing to the U.S. economy.