In a new message posted on his Truth Social network, President Donald Trump once again defended his aggressive immigration policy, even though its impact is already being strongly felt in the real economy.
What should be a cause for alarm—the de-capitalization of essential productive sectors—is for him a political victory.
"Our farmers and people in the hotel and leisure sector have been claiming that our aggressive immigration policy is taking away excellent workers with extensive experience, and that those jobs are nearly impossible to replace," he wrote on his Truth Social account.
Instead of acknowledging the damage his policies are causing, he insisted that the criminals who were allowed to enter the country due to Biden's "absurd open-border policy" are the ones applying for those jobs.
"This is not good. We must protect our farmers, but remove the criminals from the U.S. Changes are coming!" he announced.
The stringent anti-immigration policy of the White House has resulted in a negative impact on the economy caused by fear, uncertainty, and the massive loss of essential workers.
Farmers without hands, hotels without staff, and empty restaurants
South Florida, where the Hispanic community sustains large sectors of the economy, is already showing the concrete consequences of stricter immigration policies. In areas like Homestead, a quintessential agricultural community in Miami-Dade County, commercial activity has plummeted.
"We are not selling even half of what we were selling a few months ago," confessed the owner of a small business in February.
It's not just about the loss of clients. The workers have also disappeared.
The ICE raids and the official narrative that indiscriminately criminalizes all immigrants are eroding the very foundation of the local economy.
The policy of mass deportation affects not only undocumented individuals but also the companies that rely on them and entire communities.
Immigrants prefer to stay in their homes, and many businesses are reporting losses in their operations.
But the damage does not stop with businesses. Immigrants represent up to 50% of the workforce in industries such as agriculture, construction, health, and manufacturing, and their contribution to public finances amounts to over $80 billion in annual taxes.
With his absence, the Gross Domestic Product could drop by as much as 4.2%, according to calculations by the business coalition, a figure that completely contradicts any narrative of economic strengthening under Trump’s immigration policy.
The strategy of mass deportations is creating a vicious cycle: workers disappear, businesses close or reduce their activities, demand contracts, and investment stagnates.
Trump's immigration policy not only instills fear but also gradually undermines the U.S. economy, particularly impacting small businesses.
Meanwhile, the White House maintains a tough stance: every undocumented immigrant, regardless of their background, should be regarded as "a criminal." This is an unsustainable perspective on both a human and economic level.
Instead of acknowledging the need for immigration reform that ensures security without undermining essential sectors, the Trumpist narrative opts for the path of chaos.
Impact of Trump’s immigration policies on the U.S. economy.
How do ICE raids affect the local economy in South Florida?
ICE raids are creating a climate of terror within the immigrant community, leading to a significant decrease in the workforce and business activity. This results in economic losses for businesses that rely on immigrant labor, especially in sectors such as agriculture, construction, and healthcare. In places like Homestead, economic activity has dramatically fallen due to fear and the absence of essential workers.
What is the economic impact of Trump's immigration policies on the agricultural and hotel sectors?
Trump's immigration policies are depleting essential sectors such as agriculture and hospitality due to the loss of immigrant workers. The absence of these essential workers could lead to a decline in Gross Domestic Product of up to 4.2%, negatively impacting the U.S. economy. In the agricultural sector, the lack of workers willing to perform physically demanding tasks is jeopardizing production, while in hospitality, the shortage of staff is affecting the daily operations of businesses.
What social and economic consequences do immigration raids have on immigrant communities?
Immigration raids are instilling fear in immigrant communities, leading many to stay home and avoid everyday activities. This results in a reduced availability of labor in essential industries and affects businesses that rely on immigrant workers. Socially, families live with the constant fear of being separated, and economically, businesses report significant losses due to the decrease in customers and employees.
What measures is the Trump administration considering to address the labor shortage in key sectors?
The Trump administration has suggested providing some immigration relief to undocumented workers in sectors such as agriculture and hospitality. Trump has mentioned the possibility of allowing these workers to return to the country legally under certain conditions, in response to pressure from sectors that rely on immigrant labor. However, these statements contrast with the strict immigration policies that the administration has implemented so far.
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