The job market in America has been facing challenges lately, particularly impacting native-born workers. Recent trends show that foreign workers, including those entering the country without legal status, have significantly contributed to job growth.
In the last six years, native-born workers have seen no net job growth at all—that’s right, absolutely none. Instead, it’s the undocumented workers who have filled many of these roles. According to research by labor market expert Steve Englander, around half of the job growth in the first half of fiscal year 2024 has come from undocumented immigrants, adding approximately 109,000 jobs every month.
Recent reports from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) indicate that the U.S. economy created 254,000 jobs in September, marking the highest monthly gain in six months and exceeding the annual average of 203,000. However, skepticism surrounding these numbers is warranted, especially given the political climate leading up to the 2024 presidential election.
Interestingly, much of the job growth reported stems from the government sector, which has seen a record number of new hires. This surge in government jobs contrasts sharply with growth in the private sector, which only added 133,000 jobs. This difference raises concerns about the overall health of the job market outside of government employment.
In summary, while the reported job growth may seem positive, it masks a more complicated reality. The real situation in the job market may not align with the optimistic figures being presented, especially as elections draw near.
