On January 20, 2025, President Donald Trump signed an executive order in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, D.C. Photograph: Kevin Lamarque/Reuters

Imagine waking up to a nation where grocery prices have skyrocketed, hospital wait times have doubled, and the engine of American innovation has come to a grinding halt. What may seem like a dystopian fantasy could, in fact, be the looming reality for the United States as the Trump administration presses forward with its immigration policies. 

The numbers speak for themselves. The administration's efforts to revoke birthright citizenship, enforce mass deportations, and impose stricter visa restrictions would impact an estimated 10.6 million people in the U.S. who share their lives with at least one undocumented family member [1]. Given the challenges of accurately counting undocumented populations, the actual number could be even higher, underscoring the vast reach of these policies. However, the effects of such policies extend beyond numbers—they profoundly impact millions of lives, with restrictive measures threatening the industries that form the backbone of the U.S. economy, from the farmers who sustain the food supply to the scientists pushing the boundaries of research.

Given their deep, far-reaching impact, the recent implementation of Executive Order 14160, along with the Protecting the American People Against Invasion Executive Order and the America First Policy Directive, introduces even greater risks to the United States. While these measures claim to protect American jobs and strengthen national security, these policies— targeting birthright citizenship, limiting asylum claims, and restricting work visas like the H-1B—undermine not only industries that depend on immigrant labor but also the nation’s competitive edge on the global stage.

With only twenty-five days as the 47th President of the United States, Donald Trump wasted no time advancing his controversial agenda, signing Executive Order 14160, Protecting the Meaning and Value of American Citizenship. This order targeted the principle of birthright citizenship, enshrined in the 14th Amendment, proposing to strip citizenship from individuals under the age of 18 born in the U.S. to undocumented immigrants. The administration argued that birthright citizenship encourages illegal immigration and poses national security risks by increasing the population of undocumented individuals [2]. However, the implications of restricting birthright citizenship go far beyond legalities and security concerns; they also carry significant economic consequences, particularly for future undocumented children seeking U.S. citizenship. Often referred to as “Dreamers,” these individuals face legal uncertainties that could hinder their access to education and employment opportunities. With their potential sidelined, the nation’s economic productivity would undoubtedly suffer. Dreamers play a vital role in U.S. higher education, with many deeply committed to pursuing degrees that align with the demands of a rapidly changing economy. Between 2000 and 2022, immigrant-origin students accounted for 90 percent of the increase in college enrollments, making up 32 percent of the total student body [3]. Dreamers are integral to this growth, often enrolling in critical fields such as STEM, healthcare, and education. A separate survey of undocumented undergraduates found that over 28 percent are currently pursuing STEM degrees, with many Dreamers already working as engineers, medical students, and PhD candidates. As the survey notes, “Ending their ability to get an education and work in this country as productive members of the community is not only unjust but self-defeating” [4].

Beyond their contributions to enrollment numbers, Dreamers are dedicated to advancing their education, helping to drive innovation, and contributing to research. They bring diversity, foster inclusivity, and enrich academic institutions with unique perspectives. If these students were denied citizenship or restricted from studying in the U.S., the effects would extend far beyond higher education—diminishing the talent pool and weakening the industries that rely on a well-educated, diverse workforce.

For instance, Dreamer workers are integral to the U.S. healthcare system. In 2021, nearly 2.8 million children of immigrants comprised 18 percent of the healthcare workforce, fulfilling essential roles as medical practitioners, nurses, and specialists in various areas [5]. During the COVID-19 pandemic, more than 30,000 Dreamers responded to the crisis by stepping into critical healthcare roles, such as nurses, physician assistants, and other medical professionals, showcasing their indispensable contributions during times of national emergency [6]. These workers do more than fill staffing gaps; they are fundamental to sustaining the accessibility and quality of healthcare nationwide. Their efforts during the pandemic, in particular, were pivotal in maintaining a functioning healthcare system amid an overwhelming crisis.

Stripping birthright citizenship or undermining the status of children born to undocumented parents would exacerbate labor shortages in an already strained healthcare sector. Healthcare systems, particularly in specialized fields, would be further weakened, forcing hospitals and clinics to scramble for qualified professionals. Immigrant workers, especially those with expertise in high-demand areas such as nursing, surgery, and diagnostics, play an essential role in keeping the healthcare system functional and ensuring that vital services remain available to all Americans. The removal or destabilization of these workers would not only threaten individual care but also undermine the efficiency of the entire U.S. healthcare system and economy.

In light of these potential challenges, reinforcing the constitutionality of birthright citizenship is not just a legal necessity but also an economic priority. While U.S.-born children are currently protected, Congress must take action to safeguard future children at risk—such as those born to undocumented parents—who may face legal uncertainty. Passing legislation that affirms the inviolability of the 14th Amendment would provide stability, ensuring these children have access to education and opportunities to contribute meaningfully to the nation’s economy.

Alongside its efforts to challenge birthright citizenship, the Trump administration moved swiftly to tighten the enforcement of U.S. immigration laws with the Protecting the American People Against Invasion Executive Order. Signed on January 20, 2025, this order aimed to limit asylum claims, reduce refugee resettlements, and expedite the deportation of individuals unlawfully present in the country [7]. While supporters claimed the measure would enhance national security, its economic consequences would be devastating, particularly for industries deeply reliant on immigrant labor to keep their operations running smoothly.

Undocumented immigrants currently make up a crucial segment of the U.S. workforce, with approximately 8.3 million individuals employed across various industries. Sectors like agriculture and construction are particularly dependent on this labor force. In agriculture, for example, undocumented workers account for roughly 20 percent of the total workforce, with some specialty farms relying on them for up to half of their labor [8]. Similarly, the construction industry employed around 507,700 immigrants in 2022, representing 40 percent of the workforce [9].

The mass deportation of undocumented workers would, therefore, target key industries, triggering severe labor shortages that would stifle productivity and drive up costs. As David Bier, Director of Immigration Studies at the Cato Institute, states, “The main way immigration affects inflation is that if jobs are left open and production is unable to keep up with demands” [10]. Employers facing a diminished workforce would be obliged to raise wages or seek alternative labor sources, leading to higher prices for essential goods like fruits and vegetables. Additionally, the construction industry alone would slow development projects, increasing housing costs and disrupting supply chains. As a result, deportation consequences would extend beyond these sectors, affecting the broader labor market by reducing overall job opportunities and suppressing wage growth, particularly in industries where undocumented workers complement prosperity. Ultimately, these economic disruptions could hinder long-term growth and make everyday goods and services more expensive for all Americans while destabilizing entire sectors.

A more strategic way to reduce the harmful effects of the Protecting the American People Against Invasion Executive Order would be to create a more efficient and humane asylum process. Currently, the U.S. immigration system experiences overwhelming delays, with asylum cases often taking more than four years to process [11]. This backlog not only leaves vulnerable individuals in legal uncertainty but also prevents them from entering the workforce and contributing to the economy. By improving immigration courts, hiring more staff, and updating case management systems, the government could expedite asylum decisions, allowing immigrants to gain work authorization sooner and help fill labor shortages in key industries. A more efficient system would also ease pressure on detention centers and support services, making the process more effective for both asylum seekers and the broader economy.

A final pillar of the Trump administration's 2025 immigration policies is the sharp reduction in work-related visas, particularly H-1B visas, which allow skilled foreign professionals to fill essential roles in industries that drive innovation and economic growth. This move stems from the 2024 America First Policy Directive, which reinforces the priority of American workers and echoes the principles of the Buy American, Hire American (BAHA) Executive Order from Trump's first term. BAHA has already heightened scrutiny of employment-based visa programs, making it more difficult for U.S. companies to recruit foreign talent while imposing higher wage standards for specific visa categories. As a result, obtaining employment-based visas like H-1Bs—used by over 500,000 skilled workers annually—is becoming increasingly challenging due to stricter regulations and rising barriers to entry [12]. This poses a threat to industries reliant on specialized expertise and could hinder the rapid growth of innovation.

For example, sectors like the technology industry thrive on a steady influx of foreign talent, especially in computer-related fields, where specialized expertise is crucial. According to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), 66 percent of H-1B petitions are for computer-related roles, such as software developers, systems analysts, and IT specialists [13]. These professionals play an indispensable role in advancing transformative technologies like artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and software development—areas that are shaping the future of the global economy. Reducing the number of H-1B visas would directly impede access to this highly skilled talent, creating a significant gap in the workforce that U.S. companies would struggle to fill. In the absence of these foreign workers, businesses may be forced to relocate operations abroad or slow down crucial research and development. Such a policy shift risks undermining the nation's leadership in technology, a sector that is vital to its long-term economy.

Instead of reducing H-1B visas, the U.S. should consider increasing them, as skilled immigrants are crucial drivers of economic growth. These workers bring specialized expertise that complements the skills of native-born workers, filling essential roles without competing for the same jobs. By spending their wages, immigrants boost consumer demand and create new job opportunities across various sectors. This influx of talent not only encourages businesses to expand within the U.S. but also helps prevent companies from outsourcing jobs abroad. Additionally, many immigrants start their own businesses, further contributing to job creation and enhancing the nation's economic vitality [14].

In conclusion, the Trump administration's 2025 immigration policies, while designed to strengthen national security and prioritize American workers, carry significant economic risks that cannot be overlooked. From limiting birthright citizenship to reducing work-related visas, these policies threaten industries essential to America's economic prosperity. The agriculture, healthcare, construction, and technology sectors all rely heavily on immigrant labor, and restricting access to this talent would disrupt productivity, raise costs, and erode the nation's global competitiveness. Such measures would not only stifle these critical industries but also have far-reaching consequences for the broader economy, hindering growth and innovation. Rather than tightening immigration laws, the U.S. should recognize and embrace the immense value skilled immigrants bring to the economy. Protecting pathways to citizenship, modernizing asylum processes, and expanding access to work visas would not only safeguard the United States' global competitiveness but also ignite a new era of economic opportunity. The U.S. has always thrived on its diversity and the contributions of its immigrant workforce, fueling its position as a global economic leader. Now is the time to protect and harness this strength, not diminish it.