A pair of migrant families from Brazil pass through a gap in the border wall to reach the United States after crossing from Mexico to Yuma, Ariz., to seek asylum on June 10, 2021. **FILE**
The Labor Department released its latest employment data Friday showing the economy added jobs, but the overall labor participation rate ticked down and the unemployment rate ticked up to 4%. “Furthermore, nearly half of all job growth since October can be attributed to various immigrant groups, including illegal immigrants, showing a far weaker economy than suggested,” the GOP-led budget committee said.Democrats have pleaded for the migrants to take jobs since large cities have been swamped with illegal immigrants settling in their jurisdictions and relying on welfare after being caught and released by the Biden administration.
Economists say the migrant labor is good for the overall U.S. economy, boosting total productivity and raising the country’s gross domestic product. It’s not so good for the average worker, particularly for those who end up having to compete with the illegals.Democrats on Friday cheered the overall direction of the economy, pointing to 40 months of job growth as proof the Biden economy is working.
“Wages are rising, unemployment remains near record lows for the longest stretch in decades, and gains are widespread across sectors,” said Rep. Richard Neal of Massachusetts, the top Democrat on the Ways and Means Committee.The Republican National Committee said Black, Hispanic and Asian Americans saw rises in unemployment.