We have all heard that there is a labor shortage in the U.S. Companies across the U.S. are unable to fill their open positions due to a lack of applicants. Bringing in more foreign workers can help fix this problem. Thus, there is even another reason to fix the U.S. immigration system.
The U.S. needs approximately 10 million people to fill job openings throughout the U.S. This includes low-wage and high skilled workers, as well as everything in between. But despite these 10 million openings, there are fewer than 8.5 million Americans actively looking for a job.
There are many possible reasons for the labor shortage – lack of childcare options due to the COVID-19 pandemic, enhanced unemployment benefits, people resigning and reassessing their life’s priorities, etc. Regardless of the exact reason though, the fact remains that businesses are badly in need of more workers.
The economic recovery from COVID-19 has not been consistent throughout the U.S. or through specific industries. For example, the tourism industry has been hit especially hard. Many Americans looking for work have also been unwilling to work low-wage jobs, a void that has been partially filled by immigrants.
The bottom line is that the U.S. needs roughly 10 million people to fill the country’s job openings. Immigrants appear more willing to accept these jobs, are willing to live where the work is, and are willing to do these things immediately. Allowing more immigrants to come to the U.S. would therefore fix this labor shortage and improve the U.S. economy.
