Immigrant Workers Power US Job Growth and ease Labor Shortages

Immigrant workers like Luisana Silva have filled millions of open jobs in the US, helping drive economic growth and job creation. Their availability has eased pressure on companies to raise wages and prices.

Immigrants accounted for nearly all of the 2.8 million increase in prime working-age labor force participants over the past 4 years. Their influx helped explain strong job growth despite high inflation and interest rate hikes.

Employers desperately needed immigrant workers due to labor shortages and demographic changes like retiring baby boomers. Immigrants now make up 18.6% of the labor force.

Economists estimate the immigration surge allowed 160,000-200,000 new jobs per month without spurring inflation, nearly double historical estimates.

While some say immigrants may pressure low-wage workers' pay, most studies find minimal impact. Their takeup of undesirable jobs, business creation and innovation are credited with economic benefits.