Senator J.D. Vance’s recent statement on Fox News’ “Jesse Watters Primetime,” where he suggested that all job growth under President Biden’s administration favored foreign-born workers, underscores concerns among conservatives about the impact of immigration policies on the American workforce.
Vance, aligning with Republican viewpoints, highlighted the displacement of American workers by foreign labor, particularly illegal immigrants, as he discussed the case of Tyson Foods laying off employees in Perry, Iowa, while allegedly hiring asylum seekers from New York. While Vance admitted lacking details on the Tyson Foods situation, he emphasized the broader trend of illegal immigration depressing wages by offering cheap labor.
Citing a study by the Center for Immigration Studies, Schroeder, Vance’s spokesperson, supported Vance’s assertion, pointing to a decline in native-born employment juxtaposed with an increase in foreign-born employment between 2019 and 2023. However, critics caution against attributing these trends solely to Biden’s policies, noting that the data predates his presidency and overlooks the broader economic context.
Despite the rise in foreign-born employment during Biden’s tenure, native-born employment has also increased significantly, challenging Vance’s assertion that all job creation under Biden favors foreign-born workers. Moreover, while labor force participation among native-born Americans has declined, this trend predates Biden’s presidency and reflects broader demographic shifts.
In essence, Vance’s remarks highlight conservative concerns about the impact of immigration policies on the American workforce, yet they warrant scrutiny within the broader economic context.
