To: The Secretary of the State
From:
Date: 18th June 2020
Subject: New Immigration Policy for Avoiding the Workforce Crisis in Future Decades
Immigration policies in the United States are embedded by both social, economic, and political issues. Immigration entails components that have implications on social security, healthcare, and the future workforce of the United States.[1] The United States has a confusing dichotomy regarding the country’s attitude towards immigration and economic growth. The push and pull between the two reforms have made the United States Federal government review her immigration policies. In 2019, the Department of Homeland Security finalized the “public charge” rule. [2] The final charge rule provided bottleneck immigration policies that saw to it that it would be harder for immigrants to enter into the United States. Besides, the “public charge” will make a life for immigrants harder as access to essential services like Medicaid will be narrowed. The result of this immigration policy reforms will lead to a reduced influx of immigrants into the United States. However, being the 21st century, the United States Federal Government should look forward to relaxing their immigration policies to promote immigration. The essence of encouraging immigration is that it will facilitate the outsourcing of both skilled and unskilled labor from other countries.[3] Thus, as the country makes a tremendous step towards industrialization, there will be an adequate source of labor to cater to the dynamics that are bound to be experienced in the workforce.
Coherent immigration policy is necessary for continued industrial growth.[4] Several industries in the United States depend on immigrants for growth and sustainability. Almost a quarter of workers present in the construction industry are immigrants. Although some of the immigrants do not have the legal authorization to work in the United States, they still play a crucial role in bolstering the economy of the United States.[5] The immigration policy of the United States should focus only on encouraging the immigration of skilled workforce, but also the immigration of unskilled labor forces. Sectors like the construction sectors have indicated to have a deficiency in the workforce. In the future, it is expected that literacy in level in the United States will be relatively high, meaning that there will overcome the inadequacy of casual laborers. Restaurants, hotels, and food joints are also in high demand for labor. The United States National Restaurant Association estimates a 15% growth in the number of jobs while the United States Federal government estimates a 10% labor growth in the next ten years.[6]A future labor force crisis is imminent. To avoid the impending workforce crisis, the United States Federal Government should look forward to relaxing its immigration policies so that all immigrants are accommodated. Therefore, for the country to witness a holistic economic growth in the future, characterized by vibrant economic activities from all fronts, the country should review its immigration policies so that it can accommodate the necessary immigrant workforce.
Slower labor growth is an indicator of slower GDP growth.[7] The United States demography has exhibited a declining growth rate. Since 2010, the United States population growth rate has plummeted to 0.7% growth per year.[8] The recorded growth rate has been the lowest since the 1940s. Besides, the retirement age of the “Baby Boomers” workforce is nigh, with many expected to leave the workforce between 2010-2030.[9] The low population growth rate coupled up with the high number of aging populations, then the United States is in urgent need of a young working population. The working population is a guarantee for increased economic activities. The future of the United States labor force is like a ticking bomb. The United States Federal Government needs to take decisive action, reform its immigration policies, encourage immigration of the young working population into the country through the issuance of green-cards and visas. By doing so, the country will be able to mitigate a labor force crisis that is looming.
The United States is among the first world countries around the globe. Rising literacy level means that there will be slow population growth in the country. Thus, a workforce crisis is imminent, and it’s the role of the federal government to mitigate it. As the secretary of the State, you should adequately advise the President and other relevant stakeholders regarding the essence of encouraging immigration.
Bibliography
Holzer, Harry. 2011. “Immigration Policy And Less-Skilled Workers In The United States: Reflections On Future Directions For Reform”. Urban.Org. https://www.urban.org/sites/default/files/publication/26861/1001488-Immigration-Policy-and-Less-Skilled-Workers-in-the-United-States.PDF.
Partington, Jim. 2020. “Federal Immigration Reform And The Future Of The United States Workforce | Strategic Discussions For Nebraska”. Sdn.Unl.Edu. https://sdn.unl.edu/partington.
Kosten, Dan. 2018. “Immigrants As Economic Contributors: They Are The New American Workforce – National Immigration Forum”. National Immigration Forum. https://immigrationforum.org/article/immigrants-as-economic-contributors-they-are-the-new-american-workforce/.
Myers, Dowell, Stephen Levy, and John Pitkin. 2013. “The Contributions Of Immigrants And Their Children To The American Workforce And Jobs Of The Future – Center For American Progress”. Center For American Progress. https://www.americanprogress.org/issues/immigration/reports/2013/06/19/66891/the-contributions-of-immigrants-and-their-children-to-the-american-workforce-and-jobs-of-the-future/.
Pia M. Orrenius, Stephanie Gullo, Madeline Zavodny, and Stephanie Gullo. 2019. “How Does Immigration Fit Into The Future Of The U.S. Labor Market?”. Migrationpolicy.Org. https://www.migrationpolicy.org/research/immigration-fit-future-us-labor-market.
Sherman, Alorc, Danilo Trisi, Chad Stone, Shelby Gonzales, and Sharon Parrot. 2019. “Immigrants Contribute Greatly To U.S. Economy, Despite Administration’S “Public Charge” Rule Rationale”. Center On Budget And Policy Priorities. https://www.cbpp.org/research/poverty-and-inequality/immigrants-contribute-greatly-to-us-economy-despite-administrations.
[1] Partington, Jim. 2020. “Federal Immigration Reform And The Future Of The United States Workforce | Strategic Discussions For Nebraska”. Sdn.Unl.Edu.
[2] Sherman, Alorc, Danilo Trisi, Chad Stone, Shelby Gonzales, and Sharon Parrot. 2019. “Immigrants Contribute Greatly To U.S. Economy, Despite Administration’s “Public Charge” Rule Rationale”. Center On Budget And Policy Priorities.
[3] Holzer, Harry. 2011. “Immigration Policy And Less-Skilled Workers In The United States: Reflections On Future Directions For Reform”. Urban.Org.
[4] Partington, Jim
[5] Kosten, Dan. 2018. “Immigrants As Economic Contributors: They Are The New American Workforce – National Immigration Forum”. National Immigration Forum.
[6] Partington, Jim
[7] Pia M. Orrenius, Stephanie Gullo, Madeline Zavodny, and Stephanie Gullo. 2019. “How Does Immigration Fit Into The Future Of The U.S. Labor Market?”. Migrationpolicy.Org.
[8] [8] Pia M. Orrenius, Stephanie Gullo, Madeline Zavodny, and Stephanie Gullo. 2019.
[9] Myers, Dowell, Stephen Levy, and John Pitkin. 2013. “The Contributions Of Immigrants And Their Children To The American Workforce And Jobs Of The Future – Center For American Progress”. Center For American Progress.