world-economy

Immigration Enforcement Campaign Linked to 668,000 Job Losses

Last year's intensive immigration enforcement operations across U.S. cities resulted in the loss of 668,000 jobs, according to research from the Brookings Institution released Friday. The campaign created widespread economic disruption that rippled through local communities and hindered business activity, affecting both immigrant and American-born workers. The Trump administration deployed enforcement tactics more aggressive and visible than previous initiatives, including operations that began under President George W. Bush in 2008 and continued under President Barack Obama. Researchers characterized the heightened activity as generating a chilling effect throughout regional economies. The scale and visibility of these operations distinguish them from earlier enforcement approaches, which operated with less public prominence. Economists point to the substantial job losses as evidence of collateral economic damage extending beyond immigration policy objectives.