Claude Sonnet 5Oct 211 citations
Will stopping immigration cause labor shortages?
Short answer: Often yes, especially in specific sectors — but it depends on the economy, the sector, and what else changes alongside the immigration restriction.
The core economic logic
Immigrants aren't just "extra people" — they fill specific slots in the labor market, often in jobs with:
- Physically demanding or seasonal work (agriculture, construction)
- Jobs natives are less willing to d