Are new jobs being created being taken by non-US nationals?

The answer, according to a comprehensive study published by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, is no, immigrants do not take American jobs; rather, they contribute to our society, not take away from it. This has been made worse by the crackdown by President Donald Trump on illegal immigrants. By assuming jobs are a zero sum game, the position of Trump is that the immigrants compete directly with the American workers thus leading to lower job openings for the natives and lower wages.

The study analyzes demographic data on U.S. immigration over the past 20 years. The report found “little evidence” that illegal immigrants have any effect on American employment prospects. Meanwhile, the available evidence suggests that immigration has positively affected government budgets at the federal, state, and local levels.

​Immigrants don’t steal jobs or push down wages for legal citizens. Most immigrants are ambitious and hardworking. When we allow immigrants into our country who are bringing much-needed skills that are in short supply here, the outcome is job creation and a healthier economy. The low-skilled immigrants lead to occupational mobility, human capital creation and specialization of the natives while the high-skilled immigrants contribute towards the technological adaptation.

Hala Kaddo
​HMA Legal Intern