Part 2/16:
Interestingly, during the same period, the number of foreign-born workers has declined by more than 540,000. This trend underscores a significant shift in the labor market dynamics, challenging narratives that external immigrants are taking jobs Americans don’t want or aren’t suited for. Asserting that most industries do not rely heavily on illegal immigrant labor—agriculture being the highest at about 30%, with the majority of farm workers still American—advocates argue that the perception of immigration as a threat to employment is largely unfounded. Instead, they contend that rigid immigration and border policies hamper employment prospects for Americans, who are willing and able to fill these roles if given the opportunity and fair wages.