4.13.2006

The Labor Force Status of Short-Term Unauthorized Workers

In order to better understand the impact of some proposals before Congress, this fact sheet examines the labor force status of unauthorized workers who have been in the country for five years or less. These short-term illegal migrants would not be eligible for a legalization program under some proposals. Estimates based on the March 2005 Current Population Survey show that 2.5 million unauthorized workers arrived in the country between 2000 and 2005, accounting for just under 2% of the U.S. labor force. More than half of them are employed in construction and service occupations where they make up a larger share of the labor force. For example, short-term unauthorized workers make up about 10% of all persons employed in food preparation and service. This fact sheet provides estimates of the number of short-term unauthorized workers by industry and occupation as well as their weekly earnings and unemployment rate.

Other Immigration Fact Sheets

June 7, 2006: Hispanic Attitudes Toward Learning English

May 22, 2006: Modes of Entry for the Unauthorized Migrant Population

May 17, 2006: The State of American Public Opinion on Immigration in Spring 2006: A Review of Major Surveys.

April 26, 2006: Estimates of the Unauthorized Migrant Population for States based on the March 2005 CPS

April 5, 2006: Recently Arrived Migrants and the Congressional Debate on Immigration