The huge economic benefit that immigrants give to the US economy

Donald Trump returned to the presidency of the United States with a central promise: to carry out the largest mass deportation in the nation’s history. However, the migrant community plays a crucial role in the American economy, particularly through its involvement in key sectors.

According to official data from the Mexican government, Mexican immigrants make up 51% of the workforce in essential industries such as dairy farming and meat processing. In manufacturing and agriculture, they represent around 20%, while they account for 15% of workers in the education and healthcare sectors. Additionally, they make up 28% of health aides, 25% of construction workers, and an overwhelming 54.3% of agricultural graders and sorters.

“This idea that migrants take away jobs is completely wrong. It’s actually the opposite—they support the U.S. economy,” said Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum. “It’s important that all Mexicans understand this, and that Americans do too. People of all nationalities, but especially Mexicans and Americans, need to recognize this contribution, understand what it means for the country, and ensure it’s part of every conversation about migration.”

In 2023, immigrants—including undocumented immigrants—made up 18.6% of the U.S. labor force, totaling nearly 30 million workers, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Like their Mexican counterparts, most foreign-born workers are employed in vital sectors such as service, construction, transportation, and material handling. Nearly 50% of these workers are Hispanic, and 25.1% are Asian.

Undocumented immigrants alone contribute significantly to the economy. The Center for Migration Studies in New York estimates that about 8.3 million undocumented individuals are working in the U.S., primarily as cooks, delivery drivers, taxi drivers, home health aides, and personal care assistants.

Moreover, immigrants are major contributors to the federal, state, and local tax systems. According to the American Community Survey (ACS), in 2022, immigrants paid over $382 billion in federal taxes and $196 billion in state taxes. This includes many undocumented immigrants, who typically file taxes using an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN).

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