Treasury Secretary Highlights Impact of Immigration Policies on Job Market

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent discussed the positive effects of President Donald Trump’s immigration policies on the job market. In an interview with Fox News’ Jesse Watters, Bessent emphasized that the administration’s efforts are facilitating the return of jobs to American workers.

Bessent noted that the immigration crackdown has greatly diminished “mass unfettered immigration.” He referenced approximately 1.82 million deportations, both voluntary and mandatory, as a sign of the policy’s success. According to Bessent, these actions have contributed to wage growth for American workers.

“So prior to April, we saw real wage gains for working Americans every month during President Trump’s term. I think we’ll be back to that next month,” Bessent stated.

The Treasury Secretary pointed out that the administration’s focused immigration enforcement has shifted employment opportunities toward U.S. citizens. He highlighted that the robust hiring within the private sector is vital, as it leads to stable wage growth.

Bessent underscored the value of private sector employment by stating, “What’s more important is these are private sector jobs.” He noted that although government positions exist, the real growth in wages stems from private industry roles.

Additionally, Bessent commended Trump’s efforts to reduce the size of the government. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the federal workforce grew, but the administration is aiming to right-size it. He stressed that the expansion of government jobs could raise the deficit and reduce productivity.

The Secretary predicted a significant boost in productivity, akin to the economic growth witnessed in the 1990s.