Immigrants as Economic Contributors: They Are the New American Workforce

Immigrants today play a crucial role in the U.S. workforce. Although 17 percent of the overall workforce is foreign-born, certain industries are much more dependent on immigrants.

Nearly one quarter of workers in the construction industry are immigrants, for example. About a third of immigrant workers do not have authorization to work legally in the U.S., and these immigrants are also vital to the American economy. As it grows, the number of jobs will expand at all skill levels.

Immigration policies should facilitate finding workers willing and able to fill jobs requiring lower skill levels, not make it harder. As important as immigrants are to today’s U.S. workforce, they will be more vital in the future. Between now and 2035, all growth in the U.S. workforce will be entirely due to immigrants and their children.

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