New data from the Census Bureau, analyzed by Pew Research Center, shows that over 1.2 million immigrants have left the U.S. labor force between January and July 2025. This includes both legal and undocumented workers. The sharp exodus is reshaping industries heavily reliant on immigrant labor—45% in agriculture, 30% in construction, and 43% in home health care have seen significant workforce gaps.AP News
Why it matters:
- Labor shortages are intensifying, with fewer hands available for critical, labor-heavy sectors like farming, building, and health services.
- Economic ripple effects are mounting—wasted crops, stalled construction, and potential health-care service disruptions are already emerging concerns.AP News
What’s changing?
| Before | After |
|---|---|
| Stable and growing immigrant labor force | Sharp decline—1.2 million reduced between Jan–Jul 2025 |
| Industries had reliable labor support | Facing visible shortages and operational strains |
What are businesses and policymakers doing?
- Industry leaders are raising alarms about stalled construction, lost harvests, and home health care gaps.
- Lawmakers and immigration advocates are urging policy recalibration to stabilize workforce pipelines and consider more humane, strategic immigration solutions.
@Daily Immigrant
