Millions of Americans are finally reclaiming jobs once crowded out by foreign-born labor, as the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown sparks a seismic shift in the U.S. workforce—leaving employers scrambling and politicians scrambling to spin the economic fallout.
At a Glance
- American-born workers gained over 2 million jobs since January 2025 while foreign-born employment plummeted by more than 543,000.
- The Trump administration’s aggressive border security and deportation policies are credited for the sharp labor market reversal.
- Industries like agriculture and food processing face growing labor shortages and operational headaches as immigrant labor dwindles.
- Federal and state governments are pouring billions into border security, while slashing humanitarian aid for new migrants.
American Workers Surge as Immigration Crackdown Bites
The numbers are in, and for once, they’re hard to spin: American-born workers are surging back into the labor force, filling jobs that for years were increasingly occupied by foreign-born labor. Since Trump’s inauguration in January 2025, American-born employment has soared by more than 2 million, while foreign-born employment fell off a cliff—down over 543,000 in just six months. The White House isn’t shy about taking credit, with press secretary Karoline Leavitt confidently declaring that “American-born workers have accounted for ALL of the job gains since President Trump took office and wages continue to rise.” This is the kind of labor market “booming” that doesn’t require a PhD in economics to understand: enforce the law, prioritize citizens, and watch as Americans get back to work.
Of course, this reversal didn’t happen by accident. Day one of Trump’s return brought a flurry of executive orders, erecting new physical barriers at the border, expanding detention, and sending a clear message to would-be border crossers: stay home, or face swift removal. Customs and Border Protection reports border encounters at their lowest in years, while the administration brands the previous status quo as an “invasion.” Employers, meanwhile, are discovering the joys of a labor market without a bottomless pool of cheap foreign labor—namely, a sudden scarcity of workers in the very sectors that lobbied hardest for lax enforcement.
Billions Funneled to Border Security, Humanitarian Aid Slashed
The money trail tells the real story of where Washington’s priorities now lie. Congress approved a staggering $12 billion for states ramping up border-related enforcement, with Texas and its state-run Operation Lone Star leading the charge. Another $10 billion is earmarked for building more barriers and intercepting illegal crossings, while $3.5 billion goes to cover the costs of enforcement, detention, and prosecution. What’s conspicuously absent? Any meaningful funding for humanitarian support or assistance to newly arrived migrants. That tap has been turned off, with the administration proposing to eliminate such grants entirely in the next fiscal year. The message is crystal clear: federal dollars will protect borders, not subsidize illegal entry or its consequences.
State and local authorities, newly flush with federal cash, are stepping up enforcement, sometimes testing the limits of what’s legally permissible. The Senate had to tweak funding provisions after the Parliamentarian ruled that authorizing state and local officials to arrest noncitizens was a federal function. But with a little legislative fine print, the billions kept flowing. It’s a new era for border security, with federal and state governments working in lockstep—and little patience for the hand-wringing of open-borders advocates.
Labor Shortages Hit Employers, Prices Set to Climb
For years, big agriculture, construction, and food processing have relied on foreign-born workers—often undocumented—to prop up their bottom lines. Now, with raids up and deportations rising, absenteeism is climbing and positions are going unfilled. Bloomberg reports that unauthorized immigrants make up about 5% of the workforce, but are far more concentrated in industries with chronic labor shortages. Employers are scrambling, but the labor pool isn’t what it used to be. Some are warning of supply chain disruptions and higher costs—a reality check that many in Washington, and plenty of everyday Americans, have warned about for years.
There’s an irony here that’s tough to ignore: the same industries that lobbied for open borders and warned of economic chaos without a steady stream of cheap labor are now reaping what they sowed. Higher wages might sound great—until they show up on your grocery bill or housing estimate. But for millions of Americans finally getting a shot at these jobs, it’s a welcome change after years of being told they just wouldn’t do the work. Turns out, Americans will work—if given the chance and a level playing field.
Long-Term Outlook: Common Sense or Chaos?
The Trump administration remains bullish, touting strong job numbers and a growing economy. Critics, on the other hand, are wringing their hands over potential labor shortages and the specter of higher consumer prices. Labor economists warn that losing foreign-born workers could pinch productivity and slow growth, while some policy wonks fret that fewer undocumented workers will mean lower payroll tax contributions and a faster-approaching Social Security crisis. As always, the debate comes down to values: should American policy reward lawbreaking and undermine wages, or prioritize the citizens who built the country and still pay its bills?
What’s undeniable is that the labor market has shifted—fast. American-born workers are back on the job, and the days of unchecked mass migration look to be over, at least for now. If nothing else, the last six months have proven that enforcement works, laws matter, and Americans are more than ready to step up when their government finally stands up for them. Whether Washington sticks to its guns or gets cold feet when the next lobbyist comes knocking—that’s a story still being written.
