The Vital Role of Immigrants in the U.S. Economy – Essential in the U.S.
The Vital Role of Immigrants in the U.S. Economy – Essential in the U.S.
IF ALL you see is a border wall separating the US and the Mexican border you are blind to the immigrant workforce in the US, and clueless as to one of US's largest trading partners. In short: Go back to f'in school! Educate yourself on trade and tarffs while you are scratching your backside.
Immigrant workers make up a significant portion of the American workforce, contributing their skills and talents across various industries.
The United States has always been a nation of immigrants, and their contributions to the country's economy have been significant and far-reaching. In 2023, approximately 29.1 million foreign-born workers were part of the U.S. labor force, representing 18.6% of the workforce. These individuals play a vital role in various sectors, bringing diverse skills and experiences that enrich the American economy.
Where Immigrants Work: Immigrant workers are represented across all skill levels and contribute to various industries. Some sectors, however, have a higher concentration of immigrant workers than others. Here's a look at some key industries where immigrants play a significant role.
Healthcare
and Education: This sector employs the largest number of
immigrant workers, with 5.2 million in 2022. Immigrants fill essential roles as
doctors, nurses, home health aides, teachers, and researchers, contributing to
the well-being and education of Americans.
Professional and Business Services: This sector, which includes fields like
legal services, accounting, and veterinary services, employs 4.3 million
immigrant workers. Their expertise and skills are crucial for the smooth
functioning of businesses and professional services.
Construction: The construction industry relies heavily on
immigrant workers, with 3.3 million employed in this sector in 2022. They
contribute significantly to building and maintaining the nation's
infrastructure.
Wholesale
and Retail Trade: Immigrant workers are
also essential to the wholesale and retail trade sector, often filling roles
that involve direct customer interaction. Their presence enhances the diversity
and vibrancy of the marketplace.
Agriculture: While
smaller in number compared to other sectors, about 468,000 immigrants worked in
agriculture, forestry, fishing, and hunting in 2022. They play a crucial role
in ensuring the nation's food supply.
Service
Industries: Immigrant workers are vital to the service sector, encompassing a
wide range of businesses, including automotive repair, beauty salons, and
restaurants. They often fill essential roles in these service-oriented
businesses.
Private
Households and Accommodation: Immigrant workers comprise a substantial portion
of the workforce in private households (49%) and the accommodation sector
(31%). They fill housekeepers, nannies, and hotel staff roles, providing
essential services that support families and travelers.
The
Economic Impact of Immigrant Workers
It is
challenging to put an exact dollar figure on how much immigrants contribute to
the U.S. Gross National Product (GNP), but their impact is undeniably
significant.
GNP vs. GDP: GNP measures the total value of goods and services a country's residents produce, regardless of location.
GDP
measures the value of goods and services produced within a country's borders.
Since
immigrants contribute to the U.S. economy while residing within its borders,
their contributions are primarily reflected in GDP.
How Immigrants Boost the Economy: Labor Force Participation: Immigrants make up a substantial portion of the U.S. labor force, filling labor shortages in various sectors and contributing to overall productivity.
Entrepreneurship:
Immigrants are more likely to start businesses than native-born Americans.
These businesses create jobs, generate innovation, and contribute to economic
growth.
Consumer
Spending: Immigrant households contribute to the economy by purchasing goods
and services, further fueling GDP growth.
Tax
Contributions: Immigrants pay taxes, providing billions of dollars in revenue
to federal, state, and local governments. This revenue supports public services
and infrastructure, indirectly contributing to economic growth.
FWD.us: Estimates that immigration will contribute to a $7 trillion increase in GDP over a decade.
New
American Economy: Immigrants added $2 trillion to the U.S. GDP in 2016.
American
Immigration Council: Reports that immigrant households paid $579.1 billion in
total taxes in 2022.
Immigrants played a crucial role in the U.S. healthcare system during the
COVID-19 pandemic:
Immigrants contributed significantly despite facing various challenges.
Frontline healthcare workers: Immigrants made up a
disproportionately high percentage of healthcare workers in the U.S. During the
pandemic, they served as doctors, nurses, home health aides, and in other
critical roles, often putting themselves at risk to care for patients.
Filling essential support roles: Immigrants filled many
essential support positions in healthcare, such as cleaning staff, orderlies,
and technicians. These roles were vital in maintaining clean and safe
healthcare environments.
Research and development: Immigrant scientists and
researchers played critical roles in developing COVID-19 vaccines, treatments,
and testing methods. Their expertise and contributions were essential to the
global fight against the pandemic.
Community health workers: Immigrant community health
workers helped bridge language and cultural barriers, providing vital
information and support to immigrant communities disproportionately affected by
the pandemic.
Specific Statistics: In 2021, almost 2.8 million
immigrants were employed as healthcare workers in the U.S., representing over
18% of the total healthcare workforce.
Overrepresented in critical roles: Immigrants were
especially overrepresented in occupations like physicians and surgeons (26%)
and home health aides (almost 40%).
Diverse roles: Immigrant healthcare workers filled a
wide range of positions, from direct care providers to researchers and support
staff.
Despite their valuable contributions, many immigrant
healthcare workers faced challenges during the pandemic, including:
Higher risk of exposure: Immigrants were often
overrepresented in frontline roles with a higher risk of COVID-19 exposure.
Limited access to healthcare: Some immigrants faced
barriers to accessing healthcare services and benefits, including testing and
treatment for COVID-19.
Discrimination and bias: Some immigrant healthcare
workers experienced discrimination and bias during the pandemic.
Despite these challenges, immigrants played an essential role in the U.S.
healthcare response to COVID-19. Their contributions highlight the importance of supporting and
valuing immigrant workers in the healthcare system.
Conclusion:
Focusing solely on the U.S.-Mexico border obscures immigrants' immense
contributions to the American economy. Their impact extends far beyond border
states, benefiting the entire nation. Immigrants are vital to the U.S.
workforce, enriching our economy as workers, entrepreneurs, consumers, and
taxpayers. They boost GDP, fuel
innovation, and contribute significantly to our economic prosperity. While
quantifying their exact economic impact is challenging, their positive
influence is undeniable. To foster a truly robust and inclusive economy, we must
recognize and champion the invaluable contributions of immigrants.
Important
Note: Immigrants indeed founded the United States. While the Indigenous peoples
were the land's original inhabitants, the nation's formation was driven by
those who arrived from elsewhere, primarily Europe, seeking new opportunities
and freedoms.
Disclaimer:
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views and opinions expressed in this blog post are solely those of the author,
who holds a Bachelor of Science with a concentration in Behavioral and Social
Sciences and a Master's in Fine Art, and do not necessarily reflect any
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Helpful
Links:
https://www.nber.org/digest/20233/outsize-role-immigrants-us-innovation
https://www.fwd.us/immigration/
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