Dallas Fed: Immigration Policies Negatively Impacting Texas Job Growth

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A new research report by the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas analyzes some of the employment data from a recent Texas Business Outlook Survey (TBOS) and concludes that federal immigration policies are contributing to the weak employment growth in the state. The Survey found that increased enforcement, slow legal immigration processing, and the elimination of temporary protection status is negatively impacting the ability of one in five Texas businesses to hire and retain foreign workers. The Dallas Fed analysts conclude that less immigration will ultimately result in lower GDP growth. Here are a few notable quotes from the piece - the fourth one being the most interesting:
  • “TBOS likely understates the extent of such impact on Texas firms because the survey does not include some sectors that heavily rely on immigrant workers, such as construction and agriculture”
  • “Nearly 60 percent of impacted companies reported they were unable to hire qualified workers because such individuals often lack work permits or legal status”
  • “Roughly a quarter of responding Texas businesses relied on workers from outside the country in 2024”
  • “One TBOS firm noted if companies could not secure workers with H-1B visas…then the result may very well be outsourcing and offshoring”

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