By enforcing immigration laws, President Trump restores economic fairness and protects the American worker
For years, Americans have watched wages stagnate while the cost of living rises. Under President Trump’s renewed focus on enforcing immigration law, the nation is beginning to confront a core driver of this economic imbalance: the unchecked flood of illegal labor that undercuts wages and displaces American workers.
According to recent estimates, the U.S. is home to between 19 and 23 million illegal aliens, not including visa overstays or “gotaways” — migrants who evade Border Patrol altogether. During the Biden administration, millions entered annually, overwhelming border resources and undercutting working-class wages. But now, with Trump enforcing deportations and reinforcing the border, a long-ignored truth is finally being acknowledged: cheap, illegal labor comes at a very high cost.
The Illusion of the Minimum Wage Debate
Democrats often scream for a $20 federal minimum wage while demanding sanctuary policies for illegal aliens. They fail to grasp that these two ideas are in direct conflict. The presence of millions of low-wage illegal workers drives wages down, especially for jobs at the bottom of the economic ladder — precisely the sector they claim to want to uplift.
The American labor market runs on supply and demand. When the supply of cheap labor is artificially inflated by illegal immigration, wages stay low. Eliminate that surplus, and wages rise — naturally, without government mandates.
Yes, Americans Will Do the Work
A common narrative is that illegal immigrants take the jobs Americans won’t. That’s a myth.
Farm labor is frequently cited, yet the average wage for a farmworker in 2023 was $17.40 per hour, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Compare that to fast-food work, which in many states pays the same or more — often indoors, with fewer risks. It’s not the nature of the job that deters American workers. It’s the pay.
Raise wages to $20–25/hour, and American workers will take those jobs — just like they already do when unloading trucks for companies like UPS or FedEx, which pay that amount plus benefits.
The Truth About Minimum Wage Jobs
The minimum wage was never intended to support a family. It was designed as a starting wage — a way for students and young people to enter the workforce, learn discipline, and begin building a future.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, about half of minimum wage earners are under the age of 25. Most move up quickly. A 2021 study showed that over 60% of those earning minimum wage advanced to better-paying jobs within two years. These jobs are transitional, not traps.
So why inflate entry-level wages to unrealistic levels? Forcing businesses to pay above-market rates doesn’t empower workers — it destroys businesses and shrinks the job market, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises that can’t absorb the hit.
Immigration Enforcement Is Economic Justice
The real solution? Enforce immigration laws and shrink the underground labor market that drives wages down and enables exploitation.
By reducing the illegal labor supply:
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Wages rise for legal workers.
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Employers are forced to offer better compensation to fill roles.
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The incentive to enter the country illegally drops.
This is a win-win: higher wages for Americans, less exploitation for migrants, and reduced dependence on government subsidies.
Restoring the American Dream
America was built on the principle of working hard and moving up. We must reject policies that lock people into low-skilled jobs and instead promote education, upward mobility, and economic freedom.
Illegal immigration distorts that process. It rewards lawbreaking, punishes legal workers, and undermines the wage structure that fuels economic growth. If we truly care about the American worker, the time to act is now.
It’s time to say no more to cheap labor and yes to the American worker.
Let the market work. Enforce the law. Protect the future.