Immigrant workers play an essential role in the American economy, helping to fill current labor shortages and further the country’s economic progress. At 17.4% of the workforce, immigrants strengthen the economy by working in high-demand industries and participating in the labor force at high rates. Immigrant workers’ contributions are further bolstered when they have access to union representation, which provides stable employment, higher earnings, better benefits, and safer workplaces to both immigrant and native-born workers alike. The United States can improve the lives of all workers by removing barriers that prevent both immigrant and non-immigrant workers from gaining union representation.

The COVID-19 crisis has brought renewed attention to the role of immigrants in the U.S. economy. Immigrants disproportionately work in the jobs labeled “essential” during the spring lockdowns in 2020, placing many of them on the front lines of the crisis. While initially immigrants were more negatively impacted by the coronavirus recession, immigrants are once again poised to play a vital role in the economic recovery and future economic growth. Their spending power, relative youth, high levels of involvement in STEM fields, and high rates of entrepreneurship make them key contributors to our economy.