Politics
Immigrant Labor Force Skyrockets
Knowledge Nuggets:
- Highest Record in 27 years: Foreign-born workers made up 18.1% of the US labor force in 2022, the highest percentage since record-keeping started in 1996, increasing from 17.4% in 2021, according to a Department of Labor report.
- Majority of Labor Force Growth: In 2022, immigrants accounted for 6% of America’s labor force growth, with native-born workers only contributing 1%. Foreign-born workers, both working or actively seeking jobs, increased by 6.3% from 2021.
- Higher Participation Rates: The report concluded that immigrants over age 16 are more likely to participate in the labor force than their US-born counterparts, with a 65.9% participation rate compared to 61.5% for native workers.
In an unprecedented statistic, foreign-born workers formed 18.1% of the US labor force in 2022, the highest in 27 years of record-keeping.
This surge, representing a 6% growth rate, outpaced the growth from native-born workers who contributed only 1%. It’s noteworthy that 29.8 million of the over 164 million people aged 16 and up in the workforce were immigrants.
Immigrants, according to the Department of Labor’s annual report, are more likely to be employed or actively seeking jobs in the American labor market.
Immigrant men and women showed a substantial participation in the labor force, with 77.4% and 57.2% respectively.
When comparing the earnings, foreign-born workers’ weekly earnings averaged $945 compared to the US-born workers’ median of $1,087 weekly.
Interestingly, foreign-born workers were more inclined towards service occupations, natural resources, construction, maintenance, production, transportation, and material moving occupations than their American counterparts.
This trend signifies the role immigrants play in filling the job gaps in these industries. Additionally, the unemployment rate across immigrants saw a significant decline from 5.6% in 2021 to 3.4% in 2022.
Clear thoughts:
As we digest this report from the Department of Labor, it’s crucial to view it through the lens of economic pragmatism, inherent to conservative thought.
It’s undeniable – foreign-born workers have become an integral part of our labor force.
Their 18.1% participation is not just a number, but a testament to their growing role in our society and economy. However, let’s not overlook the details.
This increase in foreign-born workforce participation raises important questions about labor market dynamics and the future of work in America.
With immigrants accounting for 6% of labor force growth, compared to 1% from native-born workers, we must ask ourselves – are we doing enough to upskill our native workforce, to compete in the evolving job market?
Foreign-born workers, the report shows, gravitate towards service, construction, maintenance, and transportation jobs.
Do we see this because our native workforce is eschewing these jobs, or is it because our education system isn’t providing our citizens with the necessary skills to thrive in these industries?
Lastly, it’s worth noting that even as foreign-born workers dominate in certain industries, their earnings lag behind their US-born counterparts.
This disparity merits attention to ensure equitable remuneration across the board.
As we ponder these questions, it’s essential to balance legality with necessity, and always remember – every worker contributes to the greatness of America.
What are your thoughts? Comment below.
Tamituna
May 24, 2023 at 9:53 am
Illegal immigration is NOT in the best interest of the country. We already have in place migrants that GO HOME at the end of the growing season. We don’t need illegals. These people will be a drain on our economy. Also a drain on our safety. We had, already, been importing people at the rate of twice the immigrants the rest of the world imports, combined. . This is a Democrat ploy to destroy America….all part of the Communist playbook. Don’t believe me? All you have to do is wake up and look around. Already we have imported almost 10 TIMES the population of Vermont. THIS IS INSANE.
thomas carl pesek
May 24, 2023 at 9:27 pm
Exactly
they are here illegally, those are jobs Americans would have, higher wages and better benefits too.
Jules
May 24, 2023 at 11:15 pm
Totally agree
Irish 19
May 26, 2023 at 7:32 pm
Imported illegally I might add. Trump had the border secure. Biden has unleashed over 4 million into the country in order to increase democrat voter base. Democrats stole an election and will continue doing whatever it takes to germaine in power.
Ralph
May 24, 2023 at 6:44 pm
I agree with what Tamituna said. The only reason biden wants them here is to rig the election. Just as he did last time.
bill knight
May 24, 2023 at 6:47 pm
I am an electrician for the last 37 years. In the time since the last big recession and the push to bend all sorts of rules getting SS Disability, followed by the giving away money during the pandemic, it’s been harder and harder to get young people to go into the Trades. The fact you can get training for next to nothing while earning a good living with great benefits, don’t seem to matter. It’s too much loke hard work! A couple generations of kids getting praised for breathing regularly tends to make them soft and expecting money for just existing, heaven forbid working!
Good Luck
May 24, 2023 at 6:55 pm
They did not say why native -born are not as big on the list. Did they ever checkto see that most native-born kids are in sports , so they cant work . Many kids are in College. This little story does not tell it all.
Dan
May 24, 2023 at 7:04 pm
America. Dead by immigration.
We are already at 3rd world status thanks to democrats.
Ima Enyurphase
May 24, 2023 at 6:59 pm
Amnesty is next, make it so they can’t be deported, pathway to citizenship and right to vote (not that it matters to dem’s, illegal’s and the dead vote now). One more rigged election and America is no more. America has been failing and falling ever since obozo, except for the Trump years. The next election is crucial, since we can’t get the courts to fix the last one’s.
Jules
May 24, 2023 at 11:16 pm
Totally agree with you sir!
Dakota
May 24, 2023 at 7:07 pm
I realize that the Biden administration has caused this immigration problem for their own socialist agenda, but the problem is not only the fault of the immigrants it is the spoiled people entering the workforce they think that the the jobs taken by immigrants is not good enough for them to take, y’all need to grow up and realize that nobody owns you anything get out there and work and and the immigrants won’t be able to take them.
john
May 24, 2023 at 7:25 pm
This information is from the department of Labor-isn’t that a government agency? and we are expected to believe any drivel that passes forth from their mouths? No, I do not believe what this article says. They are trying t5o make us thing that our tax dollars are not supporting them because they are working! Another lie perpetrated by the Biden administration.
Stephen
May 24, 2023 at 7:59 pm
Balance legality with necessity? This assumes it is OK to break the Law by “balancing”. There is no such Legal Theory. Further it suggests that breaking the Law should have no consequences.
Thomas Cordell
May 24, 2023 at 8:14 pm
Just curious about the percentages of immigrants on the dole, both federal and state handouts. Are there any stats? Especially as compared to citizens on the dole?
Sandra
May 24, 2023 at 8:15 pm
Illegal immigration is happening all over the world but no country had the number of illegals like America. This is a major issue.
Angie
May 24, 2023 at 8:48 pm
Did that spic slap a white girl?
Robert
May 24, 2023 at 9:01 pm
native Americans choose not to work because Uncle Sam gives them so much $$$ that they have their needs met without working. The government needs to stop paying folks to stay home; it needs to stop the cheaters. Once upon a time in order to get unemployment, a person had to prove that they were looking for work – no longer.
The Democrats are forcing this country to slip into a Hell hole.
In another generation, too many skills will be lost – then there will be no one with skills to work.
Irish 19
May 26, 2023 at 7:33 pm
Amen
Jeremy
June 2, 2023 at 2:47 pm
That is Democrats want. A population that is dependent on the government for everything is easier to control.
Mark
May 25, 2023 at 4:26 am
We have no problem with foreign workers as long as they are here LEGALLY WITH A WORK VISA! ILLEGALS ARE ILLEGALS!! NO SSA, NO ADDRESS, NO ID! BECAUSE THEY ARE ILLEGAL!! OPEN YOUR EYES TO THE LIE!!
LAZY Americans need to go back to work and the liberals need to stop telling us we won’t have vegetables and fruit picked without migrant workers. BULLSHIP!!!
Irish 19
May 26, 2023 at 7:38 pm
A bunch of us in high school used to go and trim cabbage after school.Was a different time. Time when most children went out and did what was needed to make cone money. Children today stay inside playing video games. Sadly their parents play right along with them. Society has changed for the worse.
Carolyn
May 29, 2023 at 10:09 am
Agree! Legal immigrants working is one thing!!! Illegal ALIENS is another!! Especially now that Biden is letting them enter, giving work permits, when a vast majority DO NOT MEET one of the 5 scenarios for LEGAL Asylum claims (the alien’s life or freedom would not be threatened on account of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion) . Rather almost all are seeking economic betterment or a country with lack of policing/criminal violence. NEITHER OF THESE IS A VALID REASON FOR GRANTING ASYLUM STATUS!!! Better to deport/turn back immediately rather than giving time to produce anchor babies!!!
Holly
May 30, 2023 at 2:45 am
Native American parents are to blame here also.. Their job is to raise their kids to support themselves once on their own, and not come home. Every parent I talk to allows their adult children to come and live at home in their late 20’s, 30s and even the 40’s multiple times, often with their families. As long as they know they can come home they will make unwise decisions about job behavior, saving money, not quitting one job unless they have another one waiting, etc. This cushion allows laziness.
One person mentioned sports as an excuse. Only a small percentage function high enough on the college sports level so they are not allowed to work by the school.
If regular college students would live at home for several years, share the family cars, work full time and not spend money, take advantage of grants, they would not need to incur the debt Biden seems to think the rest of America owes them. When the money runs out, rinse and repeat, and then finish college on their own dime without any substantial debt.
Unless they are in medical. engineering, or legal they start out of school at the bottom without substantial income for 3-4 years. They are in no position to be paying a huge amount of college debt. Maybe they don’t graduate until age 26 or above. They are debt free and not up to their neck in debt. They can move forward with their life.