'We are terrified': Trump's migrant crackdown has workers and firms worried

June 27, 2025

The article discusses how President Trump's immigration crackdown is disrupting U.S. businesses that rely heavily on immigrant workers. Business owners are reporting losing employees who had been working legally under temporary protection programs that Trump is now stripping away. The impact is being felt across sectors including cleaning services, healthcare, construction, and caregiving, where immigrants make up a significant portion of the workforce.

Who is affected

Immigrant workers with temporary protective status from countries like Venezuela, Nicaragua, and El Salvador
Business owners across various sectors (cleaning, healthcare, construction, caregiving) who employ immigrants
The U.S. economy and labor market as a whole
Consumers who may face higher prices due to labor shortages and increased costs
Elderly and vulnerable populations who rely on immigrant caregivers

What action is being taken

The Trump administration is resuming workplace raids that had been suspended under Biden
The government is revoking temporary work permits and protections previously granted to immigrants
The Department of Homeland Security is maintaining immigration enforcement as a "cornerstone" of their efforts
Some workplace raids are reportedly being temporarily paused in certain industries after Republican backlash
Labor unions like SEIU are filing legal challenges against Trump's actions on programs like TPS

Why it matters

Immigrants represent nearly one in five workers in the U.S., a record high compared to less than 10% in 1994
Workforce growth has already flattened since January when Trump took office
Labor shortages could limit business growth, slow the economy, and drive inflation higher
Certain industries like healthcare, construction, and caregiving are particularly vulnerable to workforce disruptions
The policies could transform the U.S. from a dynamic, growing economy to a more stagnant one according to economists

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC