During a recent government meeting, experts discussed the significant impact of illegal immigration on various aspects of American society, including housing, public finances, and the labor market. Dr. Steven Camerata, director of research at the Center for Immigration Studies, presented alarming statistics indicating that approximately 5.6 million illegal immigrants have been released into the U.S. since January 2021, alongside an estimated 1.7 million individuals who entered the country undetected.

Camerata highlighted the consequences of this influx, particularly in housing markets, where he noted that a 5% increase in the share of recent immigrants in a community could lead to a 12% rise in rent for U.S.-born households. He also addressed the fiscal implications, estimating a lifetime fiscal drain of about $68,000 per illegal immigrant, largely due to their lower education levels and the resultant reliance on public services.

In discussing the labor market, Camerata challenged the notion that illegal immigrants only fill jobs that Americans do not want. He pointed out that only a small fraction of occupations are predominantly held by immigrants, and he suggested that the increased supply of workers from immigration has contributed to wage suppression and reduced employment opportunities for some American workers. He emphasized that the ongoing issue of working-age American men not participating in the labor force is exacerbated by the availability of immigrant labor, which allows policymakers to overlook this growing social concern.

Camerata concluded that addressing illegal immigration could compel the nation to confront the underlying issues affecting the labor market, including rising rates of drug overdoses, crime, and other social problems linked to the decline in workforce participation among American men. The discussions at the meeting underscore the complex and multifaceted challenges posed by illegal immigration in the United States.