New York’s underground economy is heavily reliant on a significant number of undocumented workers. Current estimates suggest that around 670,000 illegal migrants are employed across various sectors, with 42,300 of them working in restaurants and 48,500 in construction.
According to the Fiscal Policy Institute, mass deportations of these workers would have a devastating impact on the economy due to their integral role in many industries. However, critics argue that the presence of undocumented workers drives down wages and costs taxpayers billions of dollars. New York City has already spent $2.1 billion on an “Excluded Workers Fund” during the COVID-19 pandemic to support those who did not qualify for federal aid.
It’s maddening—taxpayers are footing the bill for a broken system that props up illegal labor, while wages get crushed.
🚨🇺🇸 NY’S ILLEGAL WORKER CRISIS: 670K UNDOCUMENTED, 42K IN RESTAURANTS ALONE
New York’s underground economy relies on 670,000 illegal migrants—42,300 in restaurants, 48,500 in construction.
Fiscal Policy Institute:
“Mass deportations would have a devastating impact on the… pic.twitter.com/d3elI2403y
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) January 24, 2025
Sources:
https://www.nypost.com/2025/01/23/new-york-illegal-worker-crisis-nine-hundred/
https://www.fiscalpolicy.org/illegal-worker-crisis-new-york
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/22/business/economy/illegal-workers-new-york.html
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