Mass deportations don’t lead to more jobs for Americans. Why does the myth persist?

This episode of Make Me Smart examines the persistent myth that mass deportations create more job opportunities for U.S.-born workers, debunking it with economic research and real-world evidence. Host Kimberly Adams speaks with Chloe East, an associate professor of economics at the University of Colorado Boulder, who explains that immigration crackdowns—particularly under the second Trump administration—actually harm the labor market by reducing demand for U.S.-born workers. Using data from past enforcement campaigns, including the Obama-era Secure Communities program, East demonstrates that mass deportations disrupt labor supply chains, especially in sectors like construction and caregiving, leading to fewer jobs overall. The chilling effect of heightened ICE activity causes people to avoid workplaces, schools, and public spaces, further depressing economic activity. The episode highlights how middle-class U.S.-born women are disproportionately affected due to rising childcare costs and reduced availability of immigrant caregivers, forcing many to leave the workforce. Despite consistent findings from economists over decades, the narrative persists because politicians use immigration as a scapegoat for broader economic anxieties. The discussion underscores the dynamic nature of labor markets, where reducing immigrant labor doesn’t free up jobs—it reduces overall economic activity. East shares firsthand accounts from Colorado, including business owners struggling to hire and professors seeing lower student attendance during ICE crackdowns. The episode concludes with a call to recognize that immigration enforcement policies have far-reaching consequences beyond their intended goals, and that the data consistently contradicts the political rhetoric. The broader takeaway is that economic policy should be grounded in evidence, not fear-based narratives.