U.S. companies are already suffering losses due to migrants' fear of being deported

While the government insists that deportations focus on criminal individuals and members of drug cartels, business owners point out that they are losing essential workers.

Immigrant workers in the USAPhoto © Wikimedia Commons

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The recent deportations ordered by President Donald Trump are causing negative economic effects in several American industries that rely on immigrant labor, confirmed affected business owners.

While the government insists that deportations focus on criminal individuals and members of drug cartels, business owners point out that they are losing essential workers, which is affecting production and generating "anxiety and uncertainty" in their operations, as reported by EFE.

Rebeca Shi, executive director of the American Business Immigration Coalition in Illinois, explained that deportations have also affected immigrants who are part of key sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, and healthcare.

Despite the Trump administration's claim that the raids target violent criminals, Shi pointed out that these operations have affected essential workers who make significant contributions to the U.S. economy.

"Essential workers have disappeared, and we are seeing a 50% slowdown in our operations. Immigrants are paralyzed by fear and prefer to stay at home," he noted during a teleconference with business leaders from various industries.

This decrease in the workforce has had a direct impact on productivity, with thousands of vacant positions in sectors that rely on immigrant workers.

Among the business leaders who participated in the conference, Matt Teagarden from the Kansas Cattlemen's Association warned that immigrant labor is crucial for the livestock industry and agriculture in general.

"Violent criminals should be deported, but we also need pathways to legalize immigrants who follow the law and contribute to our economy," said Teagarden, who called for immigration reform to address the labor shortage in the country.

The impact of the reduction of immigrant workers could also severely affect the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the U.S.

According to Shi, immigrants make up between 25% and 50% of the workforce in essential industries and contribute over $80 billion in taxes each year.

Its absence could reduce GDP by 4.2%, in addition to worsening the labor shortage in sectors such as health, construction, and manufacturing, which is currently facing a gap of 1.7 million jobs.

One of the most affected sectors is agriculture.

Tony DiMare, from the company DiMare Fresh, which produces tomatoes in California and Florida, explained that the agricultural industry heavily relies on immigrants for manual harvesting.

"Americans are not willing to take these jobs, which is why we turn to immigrants, mostly under temporary programs. But it’s becoming increasingly difficult to find workers with proper documentation," DiMare noted.

Another critical sector is the care of the elderly and the sick. In this field, immigrants make up 80% of the workforce, due to the lack of interest among Americans in taking these jobs.

Adam Lampert, executive director of a home care company in Texas, noted that deportations will lead to an increase in wages in an effort to attract workers, which could cause inflation in the sector.

"This sector is growing rapidly, and we will need a million nurses in the coming years. We cannot find enough domestic workers, so we need to look beyond our borders," explained Lampert.

The affected business owners are starting to mobilize to demand a comprehensive immigration reform that will address long-term issues.

The American Business Immigration Coalition launched the campaign "Secure Our Borders, but Also Protect Our Workforce," directed at the White House and Congress.

The coalition emphasized the urgent need for a balanced and bipartisan solution to ensure the competitiveness and global leadership of the United States.

In addition to the deportations, Trump signed several orders last Monday, including measures to designate drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations, declare a national emergency at the U.S.-Mexico border, and end birthright citizenship.

As Trump's immigration policies continue to be implemented, entrepreneurs warn that the country could face a deeper labor crisis if solutions are not found to retain the workforce that drives key sectors of the economy.

Impact of Deportations on the Economy of the United States

How do deportations affect the economy of the U.S.?

Deportations are causing economic losses in the U.S. due to a decrease in immigrant workers in key sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, and healthcare. The absence of these essential workers is leading to a slowdown in productivity, directly impacting the country's economy.

Which sectors are most affected by immigrant deportations?

The most affected sectors are agriculture, manufacturing, and healthcare. In agriculture, for instance, immigrants are essential for manual harvesting, while in elder and patient care they represent 80% of the workforce. The shortage of these workers is causing an increase in costs and a labor shortage.

What impact do deportation policies have on the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the United States?

The reduction of immigrant workers could decrease the U.S. GDP by 4.2%. Immigrants significantly contribute to the economy, generating over 80 billion dollars in annual taxes. Their absence not only affects productivity but also the country's economic growth.

What solutions do business owners propose in response to the lack of immigrant labor in the U.S.?

Business leaders are calling for immigration reform that allows for the legalization of immigrants who contribute to the economy. They propose legal pathways to regularize immigrant workers who comply with the law, which would help address the labor shortage and maintain the competitiveness of the U.S.

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CiberCuba Editorial Team

A team of journalists committed to reporting on Cuban current affairs and topics of global interest. At CiberCuba, we work to deliver truthful news and critical analysis.

CiberCuba Editorial Team

A team of journalists committed to reporting on Cuban current affairs and topics of global interest. At CiberCuba, we work to deliver truthful news and critical analysis.