Many cite immigration and the economy as the key issues that shaped the outcome of the 2024 US election. From promises of mass deportation initiatives to border control and employment policies, immigration dominated presidential debates and significantly influenced public perception of both candidates.

A Pew Research Center survey last September found that 82% of Donald Trump supporters and 39% of Kamala Harris supporters ranked immigration as “very important” in their voting consideration. This emphasis on immigration played a crucial role in Trump’s victory, as his hardline stance resonated with a significant portion of the electorate.

Trump has now officially taken office and already begun putting his plans into action, signing a flurry of executive orders regarding immigration. Some are as extreme as vowing to end birthright citizenship – the automatic citizenship that is given to anyone born in the US. This is a constitutional right that has long been protected by the 14th Amendment, and the president cannot overturn it alone. More than 20 states have already challenged the order. 

He continues to plan the “largest deportation programme in American history”, which would not only impact millions of families, but also have devastating economic repercussions. Many ‘sanctuary cities’ – which offer some level of protection to undocumented migrants – are bracing for sudden enactment. 

Trump has even ordered that the US naval base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba be readied to accept thousands of deportees.

Job market concerns

Currently, there are 11 million undocumented immigrants in the US, often filling roles that are unwanted by American citizens but essential for American society. These include jobs in agriculture (where 25% of workers are undocumented) and construction (17%). 

One of Trump’s key claims on the campaign trail was that illegal immigrants were taking American jobs. But this isn’t necessarily true. If anything, immigrants are more likely to generate jobs and boost the American economy.

For one, immigrant workers are not perfect substitutes for US-born workers. As found in a Penn Wharton study, they bring different life experiences, educational backgrounds and skill sets, meaning they are not competing for the same jobs as US-born workers. Immigrants account for a “disproportionately high share of patent filings, science and technology graduates, and senior positions at top venture capital-funded firms”. 

A 2020 National Bureau of Economic Research paper found that immigrant workers are 80% more likely to become entrepreneurs than US-born workers. They start businesses at nearly twice the rate of native-born Americans, and employ an average of 11 additional workers. 

Then there’s the billions of dollars paid in taxes. In 2022 alone, undocumented immigrants paid more than $96.7bn in federal, state and local taxes, with one-third of those taxes going towards funding programmes that undocumented immigrants are not even eligible for, such as Medicare and unemployment insurance. 

Border security and the fentanyl crisis

Trump has officially declared a national emergency at the southern border with Mexico, which allows the director of defence and homeland security to build physical barriers, and deploy armed forces and members of the National Guard. 

Additionally, he signed an order that would classify cartel activity as an act of terrorism – although it’s now yet clear how an individual would be declared a participant in cartel activity. His swift actions are heavily rooted in his campaign promises to combat the fentanyl crisis in America.