Trump ICE crackdown cost 668,000 US jobs, Brookings finds

A Brookings Institution report released Friday found that the Trump administration's 2024 immigration enforcement surge led to 668,000 job losses across 86 US cities, creating a 'chilling effect' that hurt businesses and American-born workers. The ICE campaign employed 'shock and awe' tactics more visible than prior efforts under George W. Bush and Barack Obama. For each excess arrest, roughly 13 jobs were lost. Industries like construction, which employ many undocumented migrants, were hit hardest, but arts and entertainment sectors also saw sharp declines as consumers stayed home amid news of raids. Authors Marcela Escobari, Ian Seyal, and Paul Beach wrote that enforcement at this scale destroys jobs and disrupts local economies. The White House did not comment.