According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, immigrants accounted for 18.6 percent of the civilian labor force in 2023, up from 18.1 percent the previous year. A 2024 study by the Economic Policy Institute attributes about half of the labor market’s recent growth to foreign-born workers, who have taken on jobs that employers have been struggling to fill with domestic workers. It is critical for organizations to provide an inclusive work environment for immigrant employees. However, President Donald Trump’s stance on immigrants and plans for mass deportations threatens to make this task even more challenging.
This guide begins by providing a demographic overview of foreign-born workers and sharing data on the bias they often encounter in the workplace. Next, the guide recommends best practices for recruiting and hiring immigrant employees. Then, the guide outlines best practices for both immigrant workers overall as well as those working in the United States under Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). It concludes with an explanation of President Trump’s plans for immigration and how organizations and leaders can prepare for them.
