Cato Daily Podcast How Deporting Immigrants Harms American Workers
Feb 26, 2025
Scott Lincicome, Vice President for General Economics at the Cato Institute and an expert on immigration and labor economics, challenges the myth that deporting undocumented immigrants benefits American workers. He reveals how such actions often harm the economy and reduce job opportunities instead. Lincicome discusses historical deportations, the unintended consequences on labor markets, and how immigrants drive economic growth. He argues that misunderstanding immigrant labor can degrade native workers' skills and disrupt overall economic stability.
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Deportation Narrative
- Scott Lincicome discusses the common narrative about deporting immigrants.
- It suggests that deportations open jobs, raise wages, and benefit American workers.
Research on Deportations
- Economics research contradicts the narrative that deportations benefit American workers.
- Studies show that deportations actually harm American workers in various ways.
Impact on Capital
- Deporting workers makes capital less useful because businesses can't find replacements at affordable prices.
- This leads to reduced output and struggles for affected industries.