Trump’s Immigration Policies and Their Impact on America’s Greatness

Immigrants have historically been the backbone of American greatness—powering its economy, enriching its culture, and advancing its global leadership. Though, recent immigration policies under the Trump administration are seen by many as dismantling this foundation, stifling innovation, and tarnishing the nation’s moral standing. This article examines the current state of immigration in the U.S., its impact on key sectors, and the historical importance of immigrants to the nation’s success.

The Current State of Immigration

The U.S. Agricultural sector heavily relies on immigrant labor. Over 1 million farmworkers in the United States are undocumented, with approximately 40 percent being crop farmworkers. Immigrants account for roughly 70 percent of all U.S. Farmworkers, making them indispensable to American food production.

Recent immigration crackdowns have already begun to impact the U.S. Farm industry. In California’s Central Valley, intensive ICE raids in July 2025 led to a significant decrease in farmworker availability, resulting in crops rotting in the fields, substantial financial losses, food waste, reduced farm revenues, and rising food prices.

Beyond agriculture, immigrants play a crucial role in construction, hospitality, and food processing. They account for approximately 33 percent of meat processing and over 80 percent of food manufacturing workers. In the leisure and hospitality sector, immigrants comprise roughly 18 percent of the workforce, with over 30 percent of workers in traveler accommodations (hotels) being immigrants.

STEM Workforce and Innovation

Immigrants are also vital to the U.S. STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) workforce. According to the National Science Foundation, foreign-born workers account for approximately 22 percent of the U.S.’ STEM workforce. Among science and engineering occupations with doctorates, about 43 percent are foreign-born, and in computer and mathematical sciences, this share exceeds 55 percent. Roughly 30 percent of full-time science and engineering faculty at U.S. Universities are foreign-born, particularly at research-intensive institutions.

Restricting immigration of scientists from countries like India, China, Mexico, and Argentina could lead to serious talent shortages in key STEM fields. Immigrants are also disproportionately represented among inventors and entrepreneurs, contributing significantly to U.S. Patents, high-growth startups, and advanced-degree STEM workers. Restrictive policies towards non-European scientists could undermine research, reduce innovation, slow scientific progress, and erode U.S. Technological and economic competitiveness.

Immigrants in the U.S. Military

Immigrants have a long history of service in the U.S. Military. In 2017, approximately 190,000 foreign-born individuals were on active duty, representing roughly 4.5 percent of all active-duty service members. As of 2024, around 8,000 non-citizens enlist each year. As of 2022, there were about 731,000 foreign-born veterans—around 4.5 percent of the total veteran population. Historically, foreign-born soldiers have played key roles in every major U.S. Conflict, dating back to the Revolutionary War, and have received more than 20 percent of all Medals of Honor.

Reagan’s Vision of America

President Ronald Reagan eloquently captured the importance of immigrants to the United States. In his final speech to the nation, he stated, “Anyone, from any corner of the Earth, can approach to live in America and become an American.” He emphasized that America’s strength lies in its ability to draw people from all over the world, continuously renewing and enriching the nation. He believed that closing the door to new Americans would mean losing the nation’s leadership in the world.

A Stark Contrast

The contrast between Reagan’s welcoming vision and former President Trump’s rhetoric is striking. Trump’s dehumanizing claims about immigrants stand in stark opposition to the historical understanding of their contributions to American society.

The Path Forward

Immigrants have been the lifeblood of the American experiment. Welcoming immigrants, regardless of ethnicity, race, or faith, unleashes the nation’s greatest strength—a nation reborn, limitless in its capacity to dream and achieve.