Story perspectives

Unauthorized Immigration Boosts U.S. Job Growth, Study Finds

2/22/2026

Summary

Story summary

The Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco study by Daniel Wilson and Xiaoquing Zhao shows unauthorized immigration under U.S. President Donald Trump's policies boosted employment in construction and manufacturing.
A 1% increase in the unauthorized workforce correlates with a 0.92% rise in local employment.
The Congressional Budget Office warns that reduced immigration will slow labor-force growth, projecting national income growth at 1.8% annually from 2027 to 2036, down from 2.3%.

History

Historical Context

The Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965, signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson on October 3, abolished national origin quotas that had favored Northern and Western Europeans since the 1920s. This landmark legislation significantly increased immigration from Asia, Africa, and Latin America, reshaping the U.S. demographic landscape and contributing to economic growth, as evidenced by rising immigrant participation in the labor force.

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Story summary

The Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco study by Daniel Wilson and Xiaoquing Zhao shows unauthorized immigration under U.S. President Donald Trump's policies boosted employment in construction and manufacturing.
A 1% increase in the unauthorized workforce correlates with a 0.92% rise in local employment.
The Congressional Budget Office warns that reduced immigration will slow labor-force growth, projecting national income growth at 1.8% annually from 2027 to 2036, down from 2.3%.

1 / 2