The employment data, based on the Federal Reserve Economic Data (FRED) database, suggests that job creation has been relatively stronger among foreign-born workers, both legal and illegal, compared to native-born Americans.
The data reveals that the employment level among immigrant workers has been increasing, while it has slightly risen and, over the past six months, declined among native-born citizens.
Between January and February 2024, more than 1.1 million workers born outside the United States gained jobs, whereas native-born Americans experienced a decline in employment by roughly 500,000 during the same period.
Biden (Credits: CNBC)
The trend shows that immigrant employment has surged since February 2020, while the employment level among native-born Americans is still below the pre-COVID-19 levels.
The Biden administration has overseen a surge in the immigrant population, with the number and proportion of foreign-born Americans reaching record highs in October 2023.
Some argue that retirements among native-born Americans contribute to this trend, while others emphasize the impact of immigration policies.
The Center for Immigration Studies has reported declines in labor force participation among native-born Americans, particularly those without bachelor’s degrees.
Biden and House Members (Credits: Al Jazeera)
Big Tech companies like Microsoft, Google, and Meta have been accused of firing American workers and replacing them with foreign workers, often on restrictive H-1B visas. Critics argue that the use of employment visa programs has led to the replacement of the U.S. workforce.
Despite reported challenges in the U.S. IT job market, the recruitment of foreign workers, especially in IT-related roles, continues. The H-1B lottery, administered by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, recently started, allowing for the entry of additional H-1B workers into the country.
