An Uncertain Future: How the Immigration Crackdown Threatens Massachusetts' Labor Force

Luc Schuster, Kimberly Goulart, Kelly Harrington. Boston Indicators.

Ben Forman, MassINC's Policy Center.

June 4, 2026

The second Trump administration has made restricting immigration a central priority, pursuing an agenda designed to reduce the nation’s foreign-born population across nearly every dimension. While much attention has rightly focused on the human impact of the crackdown, this report examines its economic implications for Massachusetts, particularly its effects on labor force dynamics within three key industries. This comes at a precarious moment for the local economy, as other federal actions, including cuts to research funding and reductions in the social safety net, compound the stress of the immigration crackdown.