Over Half of Undocumented Immigrants in the US are Jobless, Report States

Unemployment Among Undocumented Immigrants

A recent study suggests that more than half of the undocumented immigrants who have entered the United States during President Joe Biden's administration are unemployed, thereby increasing the burden on the country. According to a Breitbart news report, the research conducted by the Center for Immigration Studies (CIS) and released on Monday, indicates that only 46% of undocumented immigrants who arrived in the US "in 2022 or later" were employed at the beginning of 2024.

Impact of Immigration on the Workforce

CIS researchers Steven Camarota and Karen Zeigler, who contributed to the report, stated, "Immigration clearly adds workers to the country, but it just as clearly adds non-workers who need to be supported by the labor of others." They added, "This was the case in the past, it is true today, and it will surely be the case for immigrants who arrive in the future. Those who simply see immigration as a source of labor need to understand it is also a source of school children, retirees, and many other non-workers." The data provided in the CIS report appears to challenge one of the most frequently used arguments by supporters of mass migration and open borders: the notion that undocumented immigrants are necessary to fill jobs that American citizens refuse to do.

Rising Population of Undocumented Immigrants

In addition, the CIS report indicates that the number of undocumented immigrants in the US has increased by at least 6.6 million since President Biden took office in January 2021. As of March this year, there are over 51.6 million foreign-born undocumented immigrants in the country, an increase of about 5.1 million since 2022. This represents at least 15.6% of the total US population.

Work Permits for Undocumented Immigrants

The report notes, "Many advocates for the unauthorized argue they should be given work permits so they can support themselves while they await a court date." However, it adds, "Of course, others worry that this would only incentivize more illegal immigration. In 2024, a larger share of new arrivals were unauthorized relative to prior years due to the ongoing border crisis." A previous study by CIS refuted the Biden Administration's claims of job growth in recent years, as many of the new jobs were filled by undocumented immigrants rather than American citizens. In fact, the number of employed Americans has actually decreased under Biden's administration, falling even below pre-COVID levels.

Final Thoughts

The topic of immigration, particularly undocumented immigration, is a complex and contentious one. This report provides a new perspective on the issue, challenging some commonly held beliefs about the economic impact of undocumented immigrants. What are your thoughts on this matter? Do you believe the data presented in this report? We encourage you to share this article with your friends and engage in a thoughtful discussion about this pressing issue. Don't forget to sign up for the Daily Briefing, which is delivered every day at 6pm.