Across various sectors of the U.S. economy, workforce shortages have been a challenge for decades due significant demographic changes. Slow population growth and a rapidly aging population have reduced the number of working-age Americans available to fill labor shortages. The COVID-19 pandemic only exacerbated the problem. Studies show that in addition to the quarter-million people of working age who have died from coronavirus, at least twice that number have permanently disappeared from the workforce. An increase in the country’s annual immigration levels will alleviate this problem and help America reach its full potential. 

At the National Immigration Forum, we believe in expanding the pool of talent across all industries to overcome these shortages and boost our economy. The data indicates that immigrants can reverse key factors contributing to shortages in critical sectors. Immigrants create the workforce needed to remain globally competitive. Of the 169 million workers in the United States, more than 32 million are immigrants. That's over 19% of the workforce across all industries. 

However, barriers to immigration remain a major roadblock to a thriving business community and a healthy economy. Recent policies threaten over 2 million immigrants currently working in the United States legally. The imposition of a travel ban, a significant reduction in refugee admissions, the introduction of “extreme vetting” for visa applicants, a robust expansion of immigration enforcement, and restrictive policies that hinder recruitment of international students at a time when global competition for talent is increasing, are all examples of these alarming barriers to immigration. 

Immigrants’ contributions benefit all of us, and labor shortages negatively impact our economy and communities. Shortages affect the affordability of our housing and health care needs, as well as America’s food security. All industries rely on foreign-born workers to support the American workforce. At the same time, meeting national security interests requires a stable labor supply as America faces declining fertility rates and an aging population.

Throughout our country's history, immigrants have made vital contributions to our economic and innovative achievements. Without meaningful bipartisan immigration policies, workforce shortages will continue to worsen. Join us in advocating for policies that boost our economy and our nation!

State of Immigration Webinar, July 28 at 12:00pm ET. (Source: National Immigration Forum)