Migrants could help US urban areas if allowed to work

Significance Curbing migration across the US southern border has become a major source of bipartisan tension, but often lost in the political arguments is the extent to which migrants are potential workers and consumers and that, over the longer term, cities and states where they settle may benefit economically from their presence. Impacts A pathway to citizenship for undocumented migrants becomes more likely if its work authorisation provisions are clear, if limited. A “grand bargain” on immigration will not happen in the current congressional session but could be considered in the next. As migration picked up in 2023 and work permit approval can take a year, the resulting local labour impact may become evident later in 2024.