Overview

• Preliminary Census data analyzed by Pew indicate a net loss of more than 1.2 million immigrant workers from January through July, covering both lawful residents and people in the country illegally.
• Researchers caution the causes are not fully clear, citing possible removals, voluntary departures, reduced arrivals or undercounting, but they say the decline appears real.
• Immigrants account for nearly 20% of U.S. workers, including 45% in farming, about 30% in construction, 24% in service work and roughly 43% of home health aides, intensifying pressure in hard-to-fill roles.
• Businesses report operational disruptions, including wasted crops, stalled construction and weaker hospitality demand in Los Angeles, with one restaurateur citing a 70% June sales drop and OpenTable showing a 3% decline in citywide reservations over two weeks.
• The White House says domestic workers can meet demand, while a Bay Area Economic Institute–UC Merced study estimates California could risk up to $278 billion in GDP losses under mass deportations combined with tighter policies.