News Round Up 6/23/ – 6/29/2025 Part

The Trump administration’s immigration policies, including tightened visa scrutiny and increased deportations, are intertwined with trade wars imposing tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China. Immigrants comprised 17.3% of the U.S. workforce in 2022, vital for agriculture (40% of farmworkers) and tech (17% of STEM workers in North Carolina), contributing $79.7 billion in taxes annually American Immigration Council, 2023. Tariffs, including a proposed 25% levy on Canada and Mexico, are projected to cost households $3,900 annually in 2024, exacerbating inflation Peterson Institute for International Economics, 2024.

Headline and Summary

Trump’s Immigration Restrictions and Tariffs Disrupt U.S. Economy
The Trump administration’s policies are causing labor shortages and inflation, impacting agriculture, hospitality, and tech, with significant economic consequences.

Details of the Event

In November 2024, President-elect Trump announced intensified immigration enforcement, including workplace raids and visa scrutiny, targeting industries reliant on immigrant labor The New York Times.

Proposed tariffs, including 10% on all countries and 25% on Canada and Mexico, will increase costs for imported goods, effective early 2025 The Wall Street Journal.

USCIS implemented stricter H-1B and OPT criteria, impacting STEM fields Forbes.

Key Developments

ICE workplace raids have surged, targeting hospitality and construction, with significant arrests The Washington Post.

Agriculture faces up to 20% workforce reductions, leading to reduced crop yields and higher food prices The New York Times.

Inflation from tariffs is squeezing consumer spending, affecting retail and service sectors.

Implications

For Immigrants: Fear deters legal immigration, with a 15% drop in H-1B applications in 2024 Forbes.

For Policymakers: Balancing security and economic needs remains challenging.