California, September 1, 2025

News Summary

Recent analysis reveals that immigration policies from the Trump administration have resulted in the loss of over 1.2 million immigrant workers from the U.S. labor force. This decline impacts various sectors, particularly agriculture, construction, and services, with potential long-term economic repercussions for California. The fears around immigration enforcement have contributed to labor shortages, affecting job growth and economic stability in crucial industries. As the immigrant workforce makes up a significant portion of the labor force, this situation underscores the vital role they play in sustaining the economy.

California: Trump’s Immigration Policies Lead to Losing 1.2 Million Immigrant Workers from U.S. Labor Force

As of Labor Day, the immigration policies implemented by President Trump’s administration have significantly impacted the U.S. labor force, resulting in a loss of more than 1.2 million immigrant workers from the workforce between January and July according to preliminary data from the Census Bureau, analyzed by the Pew Research Center.

This decline, noted by researchers, affects both undocumented immigrants and legal residents, contributing to a notable decrease in the overall immigrant population for the first time after reaching an all-time high of 14 million undocumented individuals in 2023. Immigrants previously constituted nearly 20% of the U.S. workforce, with particular sectors heavily reliant on their labor.

The agricultural sector sees 45% of its workforce made up of immigrants, while the construction and service sectors report 30% and 24%, respectively. Even sectors not usually associated with immigrant labor are now scrambling due to labor shortages, leading to potential economic consequences.

Employment Changes in Key Sectors

Labor economist analyses indicate that immigrant labor typically drives about 50% of job growth across the nation. In Texas, for instance, there have been reports of crop spoilage during critical harvesting seasons due to labor shortages, and many businesses are being paralyzed by the enforcement of immigration policies.

In California, farm business managers are witnessing reduced work crews as fears of ICE raids spread, resulting in arrests during normal farm activities. Builders are also feeling the impact, as construction employment in major metropolitan areas has markedly declined, with the Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario area losing 7,200 jobs and Los Angeles losing 6,200 jobs.

Broader Economic Implications

Healthcare and other sectors are also predicting severe labor shortages. The Service Employees International Union has highlighted that nearly half of long-term caregivers in California are immigrants, suggesting a looming crisis in home health care services if this trend continues. Economic studies show that California saw a 3.1% drop in private-sector workers following the onset of immigration raids, with the most significant decline observed among noncitizen women.

A detailed analysis indicates that undocumented workers contribute approximately 5% of California’s GDP, a figure that increases to 9% when accounting for the economic multiplier effect. If immigration enforcement persists, economists caution that both the agricultural and construction sectors could see substantial contractions and face long-term economic repercussions.

Reasons Behind the Decline

The factors driving this decline in immigrant labor remain unclear, with possibilities including voluntary departures, apprehension about deportation, or inaccuracies in reporting. The Trump administration’s commitment to deport undocumented immigrants, primarily focusing on “dangerous criminals,” has contributed to a climate of fear despite overall illegal border crossings seeing a significant decrease.

While the implications of these lost jobs are substantial, they serve as a reminder of the critical role that immigrant workers play in sustaining various industries within the U.S. economy.

Key Features of the Immigration Policy Impact

• 1.2 Million immigrant workers lost
• 20% of U.S. workforce comprised of immigrants
• Critical labor in agriculture (45% immigrants), construction (30%), service (24%) sectors
• Potential long-term economic repercussions for California’s GDP

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

• ABC News
• Fresno Bee
• Reuters
• Los Angeles Times
• CBS News
• Wikipedia: Immigration to the United States
• Google Search: U.S. labor force immigrant workforce
• Google Scholar: impact of immigration policies on U.S. economy
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Immigration
• Google News: Trump immigration policy

Author: STAFF HERE SAN DIEGO WRITER

SAN DIEGO STAFF WRITER The SAN DIEGO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERESanDiego.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in San Diego, San Diego 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 Comic-Con International, San Diego County Fair, and San Diego Pride Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce and United Way of San Diego County, plus leading businesses in biotechnology, healthcare, and technology that power the local economy such as Qualcomm, Illumina, and Scripps Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAnaheim.com, HEREBeverlyHills.com, HERECostaMesa.com, HERECoronado.com, HEREHollywood.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERELongBeach.com, HERELosAngeles.com, HEREMissionViejo.com, and HERESantaAna.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into California's dynamic landscape.