Story perspectives

Immigrant Jobs Plummet; 60% Say U.S. Unwelcoming, Birthright Backed

5/6/2026

Summary

Story summary

AP-NORC poll finds 60% of U.S. adults say the country is no longer great for immigrants.
President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown has spurred ICE arrests, causing a million foreign-born workers to exit labor force and a 4-5% drop in undocumented employment.
A poll shows two-thirds of adults support automatic citizenship for children born in the United States as the Supreme Court hears arguments on Trump’s effort to restrict birthright citizenship.

History

Historical Context

In November 1986 President Ronald Reagan signed the Immigration Reform and Control Act, legalizing roughly 2.7 million undocumented residents and banning employers from knowingly hiring them. Although employer sanctions were weak, undocumented numbers rose from 5 million to 11.1 million by 2013, and studies show the amnesty did not curb long-term illegal immigration, prompting successive enforcement-focused reforms.

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Story summary

AP-NORC poll finds 60% of U.S. adults say the country is no longer great for immigrants.
President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown has spurred ICE arrests, causing a million foreign-born workers to exit labor force and a 4-5% drop in undocumented employment.
A poll shows two-thirds of adults support automatic citizenship for children born in the United States as the Supreme Court hears arguments on Trump’s effort to restrict birthright citizenship.

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