As we look towards 2025, natural-born workers in the US are seizing all new employment opportunities while foreign-born employment declines.
At a Glance
- The US labor market is beginning to favor natural-born citizens over foreign-born workers.
- US-born employment increases by over 2 million as foreign-born employment drops by over 500,000.
- Job growth equally benefits American men and women, with significant payroll boosts.
- Major companies are still importing foreign workers despite economic fluctuations and layoffs.
Labor Market Shifts in 2025
The US labor market’s evolution marks a significant shift post-pandemic, favoring US-born individuals who have gained all employment opportunities since the start of 2025. Recent data reveals a noticeable increase of 2.079 million in employment among natural-born citizens, contrasting sharply with a 502,000 decline in foreign-born workers. This shift indicates a clear predilection towards domestic employment amidst ongoing changes in immigration policies.
A reduction in foreign-born employment correlates with decreased border crossings and heightened deportation activities. This stark shift draws attention to labor policies directly influencing these dynamics: even as President Trump proposes deportation exemptions, the overwhelming trend pushes towards benefit for homegrown workers.
Corporate Dynamics Amidst Shifting Labor Trends
Tech giants like Microsoft, Amazon, and Google continue to hire foreign workers, particularly via H-1B visas, even as they lay off others. This persistent importation of foreign labor highlights complex undercurrents within the broader labor market. Meanwhile, the reported labor shortage—despite 7.7 million job vacancies—persists, further complicating the scenario.
Amidst these contrasting trends, the June jobs report presented 147,000 new roles alongside a reduction in unemployment to 4.1%, primarily within government-related jobs. The burgeoning employment opportunities for Americans compared to illegal immigrants shapes a future that suggests exciting prospects for domestic employment, yet also hints at further challenges in balancing labor market demands.
Watch a report: US job growth beats expectations, unemployment rate dips to 41%
Broader Implications of Immigration Policy
Immigration policy changes undeniably impact the labor market. While roles for foreign-born workers dwindle, President Trump’s policies increasingly favor natural-born citizens. The removal of employment opportunities for many foreign workers brings additional strain to sectors like healthcare, exacerbating existing labor shortages and slowing economic growth.
As the foreign-born labor force decreases and policy amendments remove work authorizations, particularly affecting industries relying on immigrant labor, the demand for solutions remains urgent. Federal Reserve Board Chair Jerome Powell emphasizes these developments’ repercussions: “Slowing labor force growth will slow economic growth.” The nation faces a pivotal point where balancing policy and labor needs becomes imperative for continued economic prosperity.
