The foreign-born population in the U.S. has dropped by more than 2 million since the beginning of the year, raising concerns that construction and other labor-heavy industries could soon face major workforce shortages.
New analysis of Bureau of Labor Statistics data from the right-leaning Center for Immigration Studies shows that between January and July, the U.S. foreign-born population fell by 2.2 million—the sharpest six-month decline ever recorded. The drop came entirely from noncitizens, while the number of naturalized citizens grew slightly.
Estimates indicate the illegal immigrant population fell by 1.6 million, or 10 percent, down to 14.2 million from 15.8 million in January. The center noted a 10 percent decline in noncitizens from Latin America who arrived after 1980, a group often tied to illegal immigration.
However, the report acknowledged that stricter immigration enforcement under the Trump administration may have also made immigrants more reluctant to identify as foreign-born in surveys like the monthly Current Population Survey, which samples about 60,000 U.S. households.
The findings were released just before Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem confirmed that 1.6 million illegal immigrants have left the country since President Trump returned to office in January.
“In less than 200 days, 1.6 MILLION illegal immigrants have left the United States population,” Noem said. “This is massive. This means safer streets, taxpayer savings, pressure off schools and hospital services and better job opportunities for Americans. Thank you, President Trump!”
The DHS has argued that this “rapid decline in the illegal immigrant population is already being felt nationwide, from reduced strain on public services to a resurgence in local job markets.”
Potential Economic Risks
In 2022, more than 30 million immigrants were part of the U.S. workforce, according to the Pew Research Center. Of those, 22.2 million were lawful immigrants, while 8.3 million were unauthorized workers.
Immigrants play a key role in certain industries. The National Association of Housebuilders reports that immigrants make up one in four construction workers nationwide. Noncitizens represent 41 percent of construction workers in California, 38 percent in Florida and Texas, and 37 percent in New York.
While some believe declining immigration benefits U.S.-born workers, experts warn the rapid loss of labor could destabilize the economy. The analysis notes that while fewer workers may help drive up wages for U.S.-born and legal immigrant workers without college degrees, the sudden drop risks serious disruptions.
Erika Dagestan, CEO of VISIONS, an equity and inclusion nonprofit, told Newsweek that industries such as construction, agriculture, health care, hospitality, and service sectors may experience immediate shortages.
“In the long term, we’ll see effects in highly skilled fields as well: immigrants play an outsize role in research, technology, and higher education,” Dagestan added. “Reduced inflows mean fewer workers in essential roles, but also fewer innovators, educators, and entrepreneurs.”
Nicole Gunara, principal immigration lawyer at Manifest Law, said construction delays could become widespread if employers cannot find enough labor. “These delays can have domino effects on other industries and businesses that rely on such projects being completed on time,” she noted.
Javier Palomarez, CEO of the United States Hispanic Business Council, also warned that the impact could be “catastrophic,” pointing out that immigrants not only contribute heavily in taxes but also fill critical jobs in agriculture, construction, and logistics.
“Relying on domestic workers to fill those jobs is simply unrealistic, especially for industries like agriculture,” Palomarez said.
Dagestan agreed, noting that many positions immigrants take on are ones U.S.-born workers have historically avoided due to low pay, tough conditions, or geographic challenges. Even in highly skilled industries, she said, training pipelines move too slowly to replace lost immigrant workers.
The American View on Immigration
Cutting immigration—especially illegal immigration—has been a top priority for President Trump. Since his second term began in January, illegal border crossings have plummeted, while ICE arrests jumped more than 200 percent through June 2025.
“President Trump has created the most secure border in the history of the nation and the data proves it,” border czar Thomas D. Homan wrote on X in July. “We have never seen numbers this low. Never.”
Public opinion, however, tells a different story. An AP-NORC poll from July found only 43 percent of Americans approved of Trump’s handling of immigration.
At the same time, Gallup reported that Americans’ attitudes toward immigration have grown more favorable: only 30 percent now want immigration reduced, compared to 55 percent in 2024. A record 79 percent of Americans now say immigration is a good thing for the country.
With illegal border crossings down, Gallup found fewer Americans back hardline enforcement measures, and more support pathways to citizenship for undocumented immigrants already living in the U.S.
