Immigrant workers are helping boost the U.S. labor market

Immigrant workers accounted for a record 18.6% of the US workforce last year, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data. These workers are filling open positions in sectors such as agriculture, technology, and healthcare, where there has been a shortage of labor. Economists and the Federal Reserve consider immigrant workers crucial for future economic growth, as the aging American population and low birth rates contribute to a shrinking labor force. Despite lower-than-expected job growth in April, the labor force participation rate for foreign-born workers slightly increased to 66%.