Over 1.2 Million Immigrant Workers at Risk from Trump Immigration Laws
Trump’s immigration policies could result in significant immigrant workforce losses across major U.S. industries, altering labor dynamics and growth projections.
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Trump administration immigration policies could prompt the exit of more than 1.2 million immigrant workers from key U.S. industries, reshaping the nation’s labor force, according to a study by Brooks Law Firm.
The information sector tops the list of industries facing disruption, with 416,000 immigrant employees and an impact score of 17.9. Although immigrants represent just 1.4 per cent of that workforce, a potential loss of 14,000 workers this year could slow the sector’s 0.7 per cent annual growth rate.
Education and health services rank second, with 5.465 million immigrant workers accounting for 18.4 per ent of the total. The study projects 183,500 departures and assigns the sector a 14.96 impact score, reflecting the largest immigrant share among all fields.
Professional and business services claim third place, where 4.695 million immigrants make up 15.8 per cent of staff. The sector’s impact score of 12.84 follows a forecasted loss of 157,600 workers. Public administration stands fourth, with 765,000 immigrant workers (2.6 per cent) and an estimated 25,900 leaving, translating to an impact score of 11.8.
In leisure and hospitality, 3.028 million immigrants (10.2 per cent) could see 101,700 exits, earning the industry a 10.5 score. Financial activities employ 1.605 million immigrants (5.4 per cent), with 53,900 projected departures and a 9.52 impact score. Transportation and utilities, with 2.145 million immigrant workers (7.2 per cent), face a 71,800 loss and an 8.27 score.
Other services, accounting for 1.597 million immigrants (5.4 per cent), rank eighth with 53,900 workers leaving and a 7.66 impact score. Wholesale and retail trade, despite a lower score of 4.02, could lose 101,700 of its 3.040 million immigrant employees (10.2 per cent).
Manufacturing stands tenth, with 3.160 million immigrants (10.6 per cent) and a forecasted 105,700 departures, resulting in a 3.39 impact score.
Agriculture, hunting, mining and construction close the list. Immigrants represent 12.8 per cent of the 3.801 million workforce, and 127,700 departures yield an impact score of 2.44.
Arinda Brooks, founding attorney at Brooks Law Firm, said, "Shifts in immigration enforcement threaten to remove skilled professionals who drive patent filings and start-up formation. The United States risks ceding leadership in technology and innovation without policy adjustments that balance security and talent acquisition."
