Immigration surge is a $7 trillion gift to the economy - The Washington Post
Washington PostFeb 26
Report: US Immigration Hits Historic Peak Under Biden Administration
Above: Hundreds of migrants walk in a caravan on US presidential election day in an attempt to reach Mexico's northern border on Nov. 5, 2024, in Tapachula, Mexico. Image copyright: Jacob Garcia/Contributor/Anadolu via Getty Images
The Facts
According to a New York Times report, the net migration to the US between 2021 and 2023 averaged 2.4M people, marking the largest immigration surge in US history, surpassing even the immigration booms of the late 1800s and the early 1900s Ellis Island era.
According to the report, which analyzed data from the Congressional Budget Office and Census Bureau, the foreign-born population reached 15.2% of the total population in 2023, up from 13.6% in 2020 and exceeding the previous peak of 14.8% recorded in 1890.
The Spin
Democratic narrative
While certainly unprecedented, Joe Biden's welcoming immigration policies have also bolstered the economy by addressing labor shortages, driving innovation, and kickstarting a $7T GDP boost over the next decade. In contrast, Trump’s plans for mass deportations and strict trade measures will harm agriculture, increase food prices, and strain supply chains. Immigrants are essential for sustaining America's workforce and economic resilience.
Republican narrative
Now that Biden is leaving office, the New York Times is finally allowed to acknowledge that his administration purposely flooded the nation with illegal immigrants. Despite knowing that immigration lowers service costs and benefits only wealthier Americans, as well as strains social services and reduces wage growth for blue-collar workers, Biden loosened and outright ignored federal laws to let 8M people into the country. This is an insult to American citizens.