An analysis of U.S. census data indicates about 40% of construction workers are foreign-born, and of those, about half are not citizens

Overview Debates Related claims Topics Sources

Many undocumented immigrants hold jobs that American workers do not want, such as farm or trucking work

Mass deportation would increase labor costs, which in turn would drive up the prices of goods for American consumers and workers

American workers would be unable to take jobs vacated by deported immigrants because the wages would not cover their cost of living

Minimum wages should rise automatically with the cost of living

The price of goods is increasing due to tariffs imposed by the Trump administration and ongoing labor issues

Increased immigration enforcement could cause severe labor shortages, particularly as infrastructure spending increases

Farms in Western Pennsylvania are suffering from a labor shortage as immigrant workers have been displaced, detained by ICE, or have self-deported out of fear

Current labor issues in the U.S. are caused by the country's racism and xenophobia

Public belief about immigration and labor is often shaped by misinformation and is resistant to factual evidence

On the West Coast, crops are being left to rot due to a lack of workers

In Northern Virginia, local authorities are not strictly enforcing immigration laws against workers

The need for cheap labor to keep consumer prices low is an unfair justification for allowing illegal immigration

The hiring of undocumented immigrants allows for lower pay in some jobs, a wage level for which other workers are not available

Mass deporting people who are not committing crimes and are just living in the U.S. does not help the American worker

Some American workers would take jobs held by undocumented immigrants if they were paid adequately

The presence of undocumented immigrants harms the cultural and legal stability of the U.S., which in turn negatively affects American workers

Harming American consumers through mass deportation also harms American workers, as workers are also consumers

Truckers have refused to drive through certain states because of their immigration policies

Immigration policies have led to labor shortages on farms

American workers have largely not taken the jobs vacated by immigrant workers