Quick Hit:

A new report from the Center on Immigration Studies reveals that most job growth since the pandemic has gone to immigrants, both legal and illegal, while labor force participation among U.S.-born men remains at historic lows.

Key Details:

• From May 2019 to May 2024, the number of employed immigrants increased by 3.2 million, while U.S.-born employment grew by only 971,000.

• U.S.-born men, especially those without a bachelor’s degree, continue to experience historically low labor force participation rates.

• The decline in labor force participation among U.S.-born men has significant social and economic implications, including increased crime, social isolation, overdose deaths, and welfare dependency.

Diving Deeper:

A report from the Center on Immigration Studies, authored by Steven A. Camarota, highlights a concerning trend in the U.S. job market. Despite President Biden's claims of a robust economy and a historically strong job market, the data reveals that the majority of employment growth since the pandemic has been among immigrants, leaving many U.S.-born workers behind.

The government's household survey shows that from May 2019 to May 2024, the number of employed U.S.-born Americans increased by only 971,000, while the number of employed immigrants surged by 3.2 million. This discrepancy raises questions about the distribution of economic recovery benefits and the inclusiveness of job creation efforts.

While the unemployment rate remains low, this statistic only includes those who have actively looked for work in the past four weeks. A more telling measure, the labor force participation rate—which includes both those working and those actively seeking work—has seen a dramatic decline among U.S.-born men since the 1960s. Although participation rates have roughly returned to pre-pandemic levels, they remain at or near historical lows for U.S.-born men, particularly those in the prime working age of 25-54.

Advocates for high levels of immigration argue that the U.S. economy needs immigrants to fill job vacancies. However, this perspective overlooks the long-term decline in labor force participation among U.S.-born men. There is substantial evidence linking non-participation in the labor force to various social problems, including crime, social isolation, overdose deaths, and increased dependency on welfare.