Maria worked cleaning schools in Florida for $13 an hour, struggling to provide for herself and her 11-year-old son. Her job paid enough to cover their basic expenses but abruptly ended when the Trump administration canceled a humanitarian parole program, stripping Maria and many like her of their legal work permits.
I feel desperate, said Maria, who preferred to stay anonymous due to fear of detention. I have $5 in my account. I’m left with nothing. This reflects the growing anxiety among immigrant workers as they face layoffs amidst a broader crackdown on immigration.
With immigrants performing jobs that most native-born Americans won't take, Trump's policy changes threaten the stability of the economy during a time when hiring is already slowing. According to economists, this could reverse recent economic growth as businesses struggle to fill positions.
Financial experts warn that Trump’s stringent immigration policies are leading to labor shortages and possible inflation as industries like agriculture, which rely heavily on immigrant workforces, face severe disruptions. We need these people, said Rob Liebreich, CEO of a nonprofit in Virginia that had to lay off qualified staff due to immigration changes.
As immigration enforcement ramps up, businesses fear this will stifle job creation and economic resurgence that stemmed from increased immigration in recent years. Data suggests that job growth has slowed to a mere fraction of what it was during the post-pandemic boom, prompting concern over the future of the U.S. economy.
