Pitchfork Economics with Nick Hanauer The Truth About Immigration and the American Worker (with Rogé Karma)
Jun 24, 2025
Rogé Karma, a staff writer at The Atlantic who covers economics and policy, joins the conversation to debunk myths surrounding immigration and the labor market. He argues that immigrants actually help grow the economy rather than steal jobs, challenging the traditional Econ 101 narrative. The discussion also highlights the socioeconomic disparities fueled by these misconceptions and addresses the urgent need for a fairer immigration system that recognizes the valuable contributions of immigrant workers.
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Immigration Grows Economy
- Immigration usually does not lower native-born wages despite conventional wisdom.
- Immigrants contribute as workers, consumers, and entrepreneurs, growing the economy overall.
Specialization Drives Economic Expansion
- Immigrants specializing in certain jobs lower costs and increase demand, expanding the economy.
- This expansion creates varied jobs benefiting native-born workers beyond direct competition.
Immigrants Encourage Upward Mobility
- Danish data shows immigrant arrivals push low-skilled native workers toward higher-paying jobs.
- Immigrants can stimulate education, relocation, and overall wage growth among natives.