Trump’s grand plan to put American workers first may be backfiring as U.S.-born unemployment rises and wage growth stalls
· World · Fortune, The Hindu
President Trump promised to restore the American Dream by limiting "immigrants taking jobs" in 2024. Census bureau data shows net international migration fell from 2.7 million in 2024 to about 321 thousand by mid‑2026, with Brookings forecasting a negative net migration this year. The U.S. unemployment rate has held steady at 4.1 % while native‑born unemployment climbed as demand for labor has declined. Moody’s chief economist Mark Zandi noted that foreign‑born unemployment fell below native‑born unemployment in October 2025, a shift he attributes to a shrinking immigrant labor force. Foreign‑born workers are concentrated in construction, trucking, natural resources, and health sectors, earning a median weekly wage of 85.7 % of their native‑born counterparts. According to Zandi, native‑born workers do not accept the same demanding jobs unless wages rise significantly, which businesses deem uneconomical.
Why it matters
The trend limits job opportunities for U.S.-born workers and could pressure wage growth, while shrinking the immigrant workforce changes industry labor dynamics. It also signals a tightening of U.S. immigration policies that could affect international workers seeking U.S. employment.
Read the original report — Fortune
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