The Long-Term Impact of Trump’s Immigration Policies

The Trump administration's immigration policy is having sweeping impacts on the U.S. economy, society, and demographic outlook. From January to July 2025, more than 1.2 million immigrants left the workforce, leaving employers facing labor shortages in construction, agriculture, food processing, and other vital industries. The policy has also strained immigrant communities, where families face the fear of deportation, children are missing school and the risk of family separation weighs heavily. Demographic trends further underscore the stakes: with U.S. fertility rates at historic lows, trends suggest immigration will play an essential role in maintaining population stability. In the first half of 2025, the administration’s intensified deportation policy reduced the immigrant population by 1.5 million.

At this town hall, panelists will examine the broad consequences of large-scale deportation, including effects on the economy, demographics, and mental health. They will also discuss the risks of pursuing such a policy without strategies to address its economic, social and human costs in the U.S.

This event is part of the Baker Institute Migration Initiative — a collaboration between the Center for the U.S. and Mexico, and the Edward P. Djerejian Center for the Middle East — that focuses on the economic, legal, and social and environmental aspects of migration. It is free and open to the public.

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Host or Publisher Rice University's Baker Institute