Mass deportations don’t lead to more jobs for Americans. Why does the myth persist?

Mass deportations don’t lead to more jobs for Americans. Why does the myth persist?

From Make Me Smart by Marketplace

April 23, 2026 · 14 min · Episode 1557

About this episode

Chloe East discusses the impact of restrictive immigration policies on the U.S. labor market during the Trump administration.

The labor force participation rate in the U.S. has fallen to the lowest level it’s been since 1977 (aside from the during the height of the pandemic). One reason for the decline? President Trump’s immigration crackdown. University of Colorado Boulder economist Chloe East joins Kimberly to break down the unexpected ways restrictive immigration policies affect the labor market, and trends she’s paying attention to during this second Trump administration.

People in this episode

Host: Kimberly

Guest: Chloe East

Topics covered

  • immigration policy
  • labor market
  • economic impact
  • Trump administration
  • employment trends

Keywords

  • mass deportations
  • labor force participation
  • immigration crackdown
  • economic trends
  • employment

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: University of Colorado Boulder

Places: U.S.

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