by Paul Davidson
USA Today
The surge into the U.S. of immigrants lacking permanent legal status has emerged as one of the most politically charged issues of the 2024 presidential election.
Yet the wave of new arrivals has boosted the U.S. economy while helping temper inflation, a top issue for voters.
“It (immigration) is helping to reduce the labor shortage and push down wage pressures” that have fueled price increases, says economist Michael Reid of RBC Capital Markets.
Strong job growth and lower inflation make for an unusual, best-of-both-worlds tandem that has helped the nation avoid a recession.