As Labor Day festivities unfold, Kristi Noem, the Secretary of Homeland Security, declared that every new job created this year has been filled by American citizens, excluding undocumented immigrants from the workforce. "This Labor Day, America works for Americans once more," Noem proclaimed on her social media platform X, highlighting that 2.5 million individuals have re-entered the labor force since January.
Noem emphasized that during Joe Biden's tenure, 88% of jobs went to foreign-born workers, whereas the current reforms, championed alongside Donald Trump, prioritize the "American worker first." The White House bolstered this narrative with a politically charged statement, asserting that "for decades, a corrupt political class sold out our workers and shipped our jobs overseas. That ended on January 20. Under President Trump, we are restoring American jobs, reviving manufacturing, ensuring fair trade, and bringing jobs back home for American workers."
These declarations come amidst a period of stringent immigration policies that have directly affected millions of foreign families. Since Trump's return to the White House, the immigrant population in the United States has decreased by over 1.6 million people, as reported by the Department of Homeland Security, with significant impacts on industries such as agriculture, construction, and services.
For many immigrants, including thousands of Cubans living in the U.S., Noem's remarks underscore a growing sense of dwindling job opportunities. The official pledge to "put Americans first" translates into uncertainty for those who arrived seeking employment, stability, and a safer life, now facing the prospect of being excluded from the job market or even forced to leave the country.
While Washington celebrates these figures as a triumph for the national economy, communities with large immigrant populations, like Miami, are left with a bitter aftertaste. Labor Day, traditionally a time to honor the workers who uphold the economy, arrives this year with a message many perceive as a reminder of exclusion for those who have contributed to the development of the United States for decades.
Impact of U.S. Job Policies on Immigrants
How has the immigrant population changed under Trump's policies?
The immigrant population in the United States has decreased by over 1.6 million people since Trump's return to the White House, significantly affecting sectors like agriculture and construction.
What is the current focus of U.S. job policies?
Current U.S. job policies prioritize American citizens for new jobs, aiming to restore domestic employment, revive manufacturing, ensure fair trade, and bring jobs back home.
How are immigrant communities reacting to the new job policies?
Immigrant communities, such as those in Miami with a significant Cuban population, are experiencing a sense of exclusion and uncertainty, as job opportunities for them seem to be diminishing.