Native-born American employment remains 716,000 below pre-pandemic levels as President Joe Biden leaves office, while foreign-born job numbers have soared since December 2019, Federal Reserve data shows.
Federal Reserve Economic Data (FRED) reports a tepid recovery among native-born workers despite the Biden administration adding millions of new jobs since the COVID-19 recovery began. The total workforce has grown to record levels since December 2019, with gains driven by significant increases in foreign-born employment, according to FRED graphs.
“There are 716k fewer native-born Americans working today than pre-pandemic, w/ all net job growth since Dec ’19 going to foreign-born workers; the latter cohort has been back at its pre-pandemic growth trend for 2 years,” E.J. Antoni, a Heritage Foundation economist, wrote Friday.
There are 716k fewer native-born Americans working today than pre-pandemic, w/ all net job growth since Dec ’19 going to foreign-born workers; the latter cohort has been back at its pre-pandemic growth trend for 2 years: pic.twitter.com/Bhdw9F0kQN
— E.J. Antoni, Ph.D. (@RealEJAntoni) January 10, 2025
The graphical data highlights the disparity between foreign-born and American workers, which persisted throughout Biden’s term. After the sharp pandemic-induced drop in employment during early 2020, native-born employment experienced a sluggish recovery, seeming to plateau after 2022 and ultimately failing to reclaim pre-pandemic levels. This, despite the White House touting unprecedented job growth and record-low unemployment for “American workers.”
“Over 1.6 million construction and manufacturing jobs have been created under President Biden,” the White House tweeted in December. “His economic plan is creating good-paying jobs for American workers.”
Over 1.6 million construction and manufacturing jobs have been created under President Biden.
His economic plan is creating good-paying jobs for American workers.
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) December 5, 2024
In contrast, foreign-born employment has not only rebounded but resumed its long-term growth trend, surpassing pre-pandemic levels in 2021 and continuing to climb, according to FRED.
The disparity comes amid an ongoing debate over President-elect Donald Trump’s immigration policy, particularly the H-1B visa program, which critics say undercuts American workers by inviting high-skilled foreign workers into the U.S. labor force.
Biden’s term ends at noon on Jan. 20.
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