Intro: Labor-intensive Industries

Immigrants working in labor-intensive industries are critical to the U.S. economy. The American workforce is becoming older and better educated, with only 7.4 percent of Americans now lacking a high school diploma, compared to over 50 percent in the 1960s. But labor-intensive workers are still needed for industries like manufacturing, agriculture, and construction. Immigrants specializing in labor-intensive industries complement the American workforce, create new opportunities for domestic-born workers, and are desperately needed by businesses.

In a survey by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, one in three businesses said they would close or reduce their operations if they could not hire foreign workers through temporary visas. These temporary workers help businesses in times of high demand, like new real estate development projects or busy tourism seasons. Streamlining the process for recruiting and retaining these workers from around the world will help ensure America’s economic success in a number of important industries.

Learn more about immigration and labor-intensive industries below.