News Round Up 6/23/ – 6/29/2025 Part 4

Key Developments

Retail and finance maintain stability through automation, reducing labor needs.

Agriculture and hospitality face 20% workforce reductions due to deportations The New York Times.

Tariffs could offset resilience by raising consumer prices Peterson Institute for International Economics, 2024.

Implications

For Immigrants: Reduced opportunities in affected industries deter applications.

For Policymakers: Balancing economic needs with enforcement is contentious.

For Businesses: Resilient sectors maintain stability, but tariff costs threaten profitability.

Economic Impact: Stable sectors support growth, but inflation could erode gains.

Quotes and Perspectives

Jamie Dimon, JPMorgan Chase CEO: “Immigration is a positive for America. But we also need to protect our borders” CNBC.

Alejandro Gutierrez-Li, Economist: “North Carolina’s STEM sector relies on 17% immigrant workers. Visa restrictions could hurt innovation” Raleigh News & Observer.

3. Visa Crackdowns and Green Card Backlogs: A Blow to STEM Talent

Background Information

The U.S. relies on immigrant talent in STEM fields—science, technology, engineering, and math—crucial for innovation, with 17% of North Carolina’s STEM workforce being immigrants in 2023 Raleigh News & Observer, 2023. The H-1B visa, allowing U.S. companies to hire foreign workers in specialty occupations for up to six years, is vital for tech. To settle permanently in the U.S., Indian nationals on H-1B visas must file for a green card. Green cards are categorized into three main employment-based classes: EB-3 for those with a bachelor’s degree or associate degree requiring two years of college; EB-2 for those with advanced degrees (e.g., MA, MSc, PhD); and EB-1 for individuals at the very top of their field demonstrating extraordinary ability.