Improving immigration policies will play a pivotal role in filling the gaps in the struggling US workforce and weakening economy. A recent study by Texas A&M University found the economy does better when the workforce includes more immigrants. More migrant workers are linked to lower inflation, higher average wages and lower unemployment. About 20,000 workers have left the labor force since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic. Several factors play a role including an aging workforce, and the lack of younger workers to take their place. The pandemic also had a negative impact on US immigration, and these losses have particularly impacted entry-level sectors that rely on immigrant workers, such as food service, retail and hospitality.
Many US representatives are turning to immigration for help and looking to utilize various work visa programs including the EB-3 Visa, which offers a viable solution to US businesses facing labor shortages and foreign nationals seeking US Permanent Residency. Fueled by both seasonal and permanent work visa programs, new immigrants and their children are expected to account for 83 percent of the growth in the U.S. workforce from 2000 to 2050.