Migration drives the U.S. economy, according to a report, but it divides opinions in the electoral campaign.

The Congressional Budget Office of the United States has made an optimistic forecast about the impact that migration will have on the country's economy in the next decade. According to this report, it is estimated that the upsurge in migration could boost the economy by around US$7 trillion, thanks to the labor force provided by migrants and the increase in demand they generate. Despite this encouraging projection, migration continues to be a controversial issue and has become a point of contention in the electoral campaign for the November elections, where Democratic President Joe Biden and his Republican predecessor Donald Trump will face each other again at the polls. Trump has threatened to carry out a mass deportation if he returns to the White House, arguing that migrants "poison the nation's blood." Justin Gest, a political scientist and professor at George Mason University, has emphasized the importance of migrants in the U.S. economy, describing them as "the soul" and "the backbone" of the country. According to Gest, critical sectors such as food, services, construction, agriculture, and health rely heavily on migrant labor, which is essential for the functioning of society. Heidi Shierholz, president of the Economic Policy Institute, has warned of the catastrophic consequences of depriving these sectors of their labor force, creating a domino effect that would impact the entire economy. Despite these arguments, surveys show that concern about migration is increasing among Americans, especially among Republican Party supporters. The Biden administration has implemented measures for "orderly" migration, such as imposing conditions for entry into the country and accelerating the expulsion of those who violate these rules. However, some conservative states have intensified their anti-immigrant policies, reflecting the existing division in the country on this issue. Oscar Chacón, director of Alianza Américas, has pointed out that the United States has a surplus of unfilled job positions, making the rhetoric of expelling migrants primarily an electoral strategy. Despite political differences, experts recognize the significant contributions that migrants make to the economy, being essential to maintaining a flexible labor market and helping to control inflation. According to data from the Department of the Treasury, nearly 25% of new businesses opened in the United States in 2021 were owned by Latinos, highlighting the entrepreneurial contribution of this community. In fact, a study by the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) indicates that if Latinos in the United States were a country, they would be the fifth largest economy in the world, demonstrating the positive impact that migrants have on the country's economy. Amid a polarized political debate, it is essential to recognize and value the importance of migration for the U.S. economy and society. Meanwhile, uncertainty and division persist, highlighting the complexity of addressing such a relevant issue as migration in a country as diverse and changing as the United States.