California, September 1, 2025
News Summary
California faces a significant workforce decline with over 1.2 million immigrant workers leaving due to President Trump’s immigration policies. As critical sectors such as agriculture, construction, and services suffer from labor shortages, economists warn of potential long-term economic repercussions. The Pew Research Center highlights that immigrants constitute nearly 20% of the labor force and their exit may hinder job growth and productivity in key industries, causing lasting impacts on local economies throughout the state.
California is experiencing a significant decline in its workforce due to the impact of President Trump’s immigration policies, which have led to the loss of over 1.2 million immigrant workers from the U.S. labor force. This data, released around the Labor Day holiday, was analyzed by the Pew Research Center in conjunction with preliminary Census Bureau figures.
From January to July of this year, a concerning trend has emerged as both undocumented immigrants and legal residents leave the workforce. Immigrants make up nearly 20% of the U.S. labor pool, playing crucial roles in various sectors. For instance, immigrants constitute 45% of workers in farming, fishing, and forestry, as well as 30% of construction workers and 24% of service industry employees.
Recent statistics show a notable decline in the overall immigrant population, with the undocumented population falling from an all-time high of 14 million in 2023. The exact reasons behind this decrease remain uncertain but could include a combination of voluntary departures, fears of deportation, or issues related to technical reporting.
Throughout his administration, President Trump has made clear his intentions to increase immigration enforcement, vowing to deport millions of undocumented immigrants while focusing on individuals classified as “dangerous criminals.” However, reports indicate that many detainees processed by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) do not have criminal convictions, despite a notable decline in illegal border crossings.
Labor economists note that immigrant labor is typically responsible for approximately 50% of job growth in the U.S., suggesting that workforce reductions may hinder the country’s overall economic stability. In Texas, a farm manager reported that labor shortages could lead to spoiled crops during crucial harvesting periods, while operations at businesses have slowed due to heightened immigration enforcement measures.
Consequences for Key Industries
Fears of ICE raids have resulted in reduced work crews in agriculture, with one farm business manager noting that farmworkers have been apprehended during regular activities. Furthermore, construction employment has dropped significantly in metropolitan areas, with some of the most substantial job losses occurring in Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario and Los Angeles, where the workforce shrank by 7,200 and 6,200 jobs, respectively.
The Service Employees International Union reports that nearly half of long-term caregivers in California are immigrants, which additionally highlights the potential for a looming labor shortage within the healthcare sector. This situation is exacerbated by evidence indicating a 3.1% decline in private-sector workers in California following a series of immigration raids, disproportionately affecting noncitizen women.
Furthermore, undocumented workers contribute approximately 5% to California’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), a figure that could escalate to 9% when factoring in the economic multiplier effect. Economists are now warning of significant contractions in the agricultural and construction sectors if the removal of undocumented workers from the economy continues unabated, suggesting long-term repercussions for various industries reliant on immigrant labor.
Implications of Immigration Enforcement
The current immigration crackdown is contributing to economic disruptions across California. Businesses have reported decreased consumer traffic, and the ongoing labor shortage is already affecting productivity and growth within critical sectors. Consequently, local economies may face enduring challenges if these immigration enforcement measures remain in place.
As the landscape of the U.S. labor force continues to shift, stakeholders in various industries are closely monitoring the potential long-term impacts of immigration policies and their effects on labor availability and economic vitality.
FAQ
How many immigrant workers have left the U.S. labor force?
Over 1.2 million immigrant workers have left the U.S. labor force from January to July of this year, according to the Pew Research Center.
What percentage of the U.S. workforce consists of immigrants?
Immigrants make up almost 20% of the U.S. workforce, with specific sectors seeing higher representation.
What sectors are most affected by immigrant labor shortages?
Agriculture, construction, and service sectors are among the most affected by the decline in immigrant labor.
Key Features of Immigration Policy Impact
| Key Feature | Impact Description |
|---|---|
| Immigrant Workforce Loss | Over 1.2 million workers have left from January to July 2023. |
| Percentage in Workforce | Nearly 20% of U.S. labor force consists of immigrants. |
| Affected Industries | Agriculture (45%), Construction (30%), Service Industry (24%). |
| Economic Contributions | Undocumented workers account for approximately 5% of California’s GDP. |
| Job Losses | 7,200 jobs lost in Riverside-San Bernardino, 6,200 in Los Angeles. |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- ABC News: 1.2M Immigrants Leave US Labor Force
- Fresno Bee: Readers’ Opinion on Immigration Policies
- Reuters: Immigration Raids and Agriculture
- Ogletree: California Labor Protections for Immigrants
- LA Times: Impact of Raids on California’s Labor Market
- Wikipedia: Immigration to the United States
- Google Search: US Immigration Policy
- Google Scholar: Immigrant Worker Impact
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Immigration
- Google News: Immigration Raids
Author: STAFF HERE MISSION VIEJO WRITER
MISSION VIEJO STAFF WRITER The MISSION VIEJO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREMissionViejo.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Mission Viejo, Orange County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Oso Fit 5K Fun Run and Community Health Fair, Walk Against Drugs & Community Fair, and National Night Out. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Mission Viejo Chamber of Commerce and Providence Mission Hospital Mission Viejo, plus leading businesses in retail and education that power the local economy such as The Shops at Mission Viejo, Capistrano Unified School District, and Amazon Delivery Station. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAnaheim.com, HEREBeverlyHills.com, HERECostaMesa.com, HERECoronado.com, HEREHollywood.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERELongBeach.com, HERELosAngeles.com, HERESanDiego.com, and HERESantaAna.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into California's dynamic landscape.
