Maryland-based cleaning service CEO Victor Moran is grappling with a dwindling workforce as President Donald Trumpโs immigration policies tighten. Since Trumpโs administration eliminated temporary protections for immigrants from Venezuela and Nicaragua, around fifteen employees at Moranโs company, Total Quality, have left. If the administration expands its immigration crackdown, he fears even more potential staff losses.
Moranโs situation reflects wider concerns among U.S. businesses as Trumpโs deportation initiatives pose a significant threat to the labour market, particularly in sectors reliant on immigrant workers. According to census data, nearly one in five workers in the U.S. was an immigrant in the previous year, highlighting their critical role in the economy.
Background of the Immigration Policies Changes
Trump has focused on undocumented immigrants, who represent an estimated four percent of the U.S. workforce. His campaign prominently featured a promise to conduct mass deportations, which garnered support from various voter demographics, including some Hispanic groups. The administration has ramped up workplace raids, a tactic that had been largely halted under the previous administration, which many businesses fear will disrupt their operations.
In addition to targeting undocumented immigrants, the current administration has sought to revoke temporary status protections for individuals from various countries, has suspended refugee admissions, and has tightened student visa regulations. Collectively, these actions threaten to unsettle the lives of millions who have established long-term roots in the U.S.
Economic Concerns Sparked by Policy Changes
The repercussions of these policies extend beyond individual workers to the economy as a whole. Experts warn that even if the administrationโs enforcement escalates and is legally challenged, the psychological pressure on immigrants could deter them from seeking work, exacerbating labour shortages.
Giovanni Peri, an economist at the University of California, Davis, notes that the growth of the labour force, largely bolstered by immigrant contributions, has already begun to stagnate since January 2025. He cautioned about the impact on economic growth, stating, โA smaller workforce could also feed inflation, as firms would be compelled to offer higher wages to attract talent.โ
Personal Voices of Immigrant Workers
Justino Gomez, a 73-year-old temporary work permit holder from El Salvador, encapsulates the personal toll of these policies. After three decades in the U.S., Gomez worries that his status under the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) program could be revoked, a fear that causes him significant stress as he navigates his daily life. โEvery time I leave home, I have this stress on my mind,โ he told the BBC through a translator provided by his labour union, 32BJ SEIU.
Gomezโs story illustrates a common fear among immigrants facing uncertainty regarding their ability to remain and work in the U.S., which could negatively affect both their livelihoods and community welfare.
Industry Responses and Future Implications
The adverse economic effects of the immigration crackdown are already evident in many sectors, including healthcare and agriculture. Notably, Adam Lampert, CEO of Cambridge Caregivers, reported that a staggering 80% of his workforce is composed of foreign-born employees. He noted that the current policies have already resulted in lost employees who held temporary work permits.
Esmail Porsa, CEO of a significant Texas hospital system, echoed similar concerns, emphasising that the delay in training U.S. workers to fill these critical roles could have long-lasting repercussions as the ageing population increases demand for healthcare services.
Even industries typically reliant on undocumented labour, such as hospitality and homebuilding, have felt the strain. Jim Tobin, president of the National Association of Homebuilders, indicated that construction projects could slow down further due to declining work crews, leading to rising costs.
Despite these economic alarms, the Department of Homeland Security maintains that its enforcement efforts will continue as a central strategy, with Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin affirming the role of workplace raids as a cornerstone of the governmentโs immigration approach.
As the country confronts these challenges, the intersection of immigration Policies and economic vitality remains a critical concern, raising questions about the future of the U.S. labour market and the overall economy.
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