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U.S. Elections

Trump reference to ‘Black jobs’ sparks new debate about immigration


In the lead-up to the 2024 presidential election, a notable trend has emerged among minority voters, which have traditionally been a stronghold for Democratic candidates. Recent polls show a departure from historical voting patterns, with a significant portion of Black and Hispanic voters expressing support for former President Donald Trump.

According to a recent New York Times poll, while 59% of Black voters are reportedly backing President Joe Biden, the remaining 30% have thrown their support behind Trump. This represents a stark increase from Trump’s 5% support among Black voters in similar polling conducted ahead of the 2020 election. The former president highlighted this shift during the debate on Thursday, June 27.

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However, Trump’s comments during the debate have stirred controversy, particularly those that linked immigration to job competition among minority communities. His statement suggesting that immigrants are taking jobs traditionally held by Black and Hispanic Americans drew criticism from civil rights organizations and lawmakers alike.

The NAACP quickly responded, questioning the notion of “Black and Hispanic jobs,” emphasizing that job opportunities should be accessible to all American regardless of race or ethnicity.

Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., also voiced confusion over Trump’s debate remarks, calling for clarity on what he meant to convey.

The debate over the impact of immigration on minority employment has been extensively studied. Advocates from the Center for Immigration Studies argue that illegal immigration can negatively affect U.S.-born workers, particularly those with lower levels of education who are often employed in service and construction sectors. Conversely, research from the Immigration Policy Center suggests that Latino immigration contributes positively to local economies by bolstering population and tax bases, potentially offsetting job losses in some sectors.

In urban centers like Chicago, where immigration policies have become a focal point, opinions among Black residents vary widely. While some express concerns over the allocation of resources to immigrant populations, others argue that such policies can benefit local economies and community vitality.

As the 2024 election approaches, both major political parties are keenly aware of the pivotal role minority voters will play. Efforts to court these voters are expected to ramp up on the campaign trail, reflecting the growing influence of Black and Hispanic voters in shaping electoral outcomes.

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[KARAH RUCKER]

THIS ELECTION CYCLE –

POLLS SHOW THERE IS A RECORD NUMBER OF MINORITY VOTERS BREAKING AWAY FROM THE NORM.

BLACKS AND HISPANICS HAVE OVERWHELMINGLY VOTED DEMOCRATIC FOR DECADES –

AND WHILE A RECENT NEW YORK TIMES POLL SHOWS 59% OF BLACK VOTERS SAY THEY ARE SUPPORTING BIDEN

IT SHOWS 30% OF BLACK VOTERS BACK TRUMP.

WHEN THE SAME POLL WAS CONDUCTED JUST AHEAD OF THE 2020 ELECTION –

TRUMP WAS POLLING AT JUST 5 PERCENT.

IT’S SOMETHING TRUMP TOUTED DURING THE PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE.

THE HISTORIC AMOUNT OF BLACK AND HISPANIC SUPPORT HE IS RECEIVING IN THE POLLS.

BUT – SOME OF HIS REMARKS ON THE DEBATE STAGE ARE ALSO LANDING HIM IN HOT WATER ON SOCIAL MEDIA.

[DONALD TRUMP]

the fact is that his big kill on black people is the millions of people that he is allowed to come in through the border. They’re taking black jobs now and it could be 18, it could be 19 and even 20 million people, they’re taking black jobs and they’re taking Hispanic jobs, and you haven’t seen it yet, but you’re going to see something that’s going to be the worst in our history.

[KARAH RUCKER]

THE N-DOUBLE A-C-P IMMEDIATELY TOOK TO X AFTER THE COMMENT WAS MADE –

“WHAT EXACTLY ARE BLACK AND HISPANIC JOBS?!”

AND THE ORGANIZATION’S NUMBER ONE TALKING POINT FOLLOWING THE DEBATE –

“THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A BLACK JOB.”

PROGRESSIVE REPRESENTATIVE ILHAN OMAR POSTED ON X –

“I STILL DON’T UNDERSTAND THE ‘BLACK JOB’ COMMENT, IT WOULD HAVE BEEN NICE IF THERE WAS A FOLLOW UP TO UNDERSTAND WHAT HE WAS TRYING TO SAY.”

 

THE RESEARCH BETWEEN IMMIGRATION AND ITS IMPACTS ON BLACK AMERICANS IS EXTENSIVE.

HERE’S ONE ASSESSMENT FROM THE “CENTER FOR IMMIGRATION STUDIES.”

“FIRST, THERE IS LITTLE DEBATE THAT ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION PRIMARILY, THOUGH NOT EXCLUSIVELY, INCREASES THE SUPPLY OF WORKERS AT THE BOTTOM END OF THE LABOR MARKET. OCCUPATIONAL CATEGORIES SUCH AS BUILDING CLEANING AND MAINTENANCE, FOOD SERVICE AND PREPARATION, AND CONSTRUCTION ARE THE MOST HEAVILY IMPACTED.

IF ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION HAS A NEGATIVE IMPACT ON U.S.-BORN WORKERS – IT WILL TEND TO BE ON THOSE WHO HAVE THE LEAST EDUCATION BECAUSE THIS IS THE KIND OF WORKER WHO GENERALLY DOES THIS TYPE OF JOB.

SECOND, ALL OF THE AVAILABLE DATA SHOW THAT BLACK MEN ARE DISPROPORTIONATELY EMPLOYED AT THE BOTTOM END OF THE LABOR MARKET.

WHILE THERE ARE STUDIES THAT SUGGEST JOBS AND WAGES OF BLACK AND HISPANIC AMERICANS ARE NEGATIVELY IMPACTED BY MASS IMMIGRATION –

THERE ARE OTHER PAPERS THAT SUGGEST THE OPPOSITE –

LIKE THIS ONE FROM THE IMMIGRATION POLICY CENTER.

“The positive economic impact of Latino immigration is related to population.

St. Louis, for instance, has experienced a sharply declining population, and at the same time, very little Latino immigration. As a result, Saint Louis has closed more than a dozen schools in recent years, which has cost the jobs of hundreds of African American teachers, administrators, and staff. Our research shows that an increase in immigration from Latin America would have sustained St. Louis’s population, tax base, school enrollment, and most of the lost African American jobs.

More people from Latin America increases the vibrancy of a city, its culture, and the opportunities it offers. Further, research shows that specialization by encouraging different skill patterns leads to higher wages and more jobs.

[KARAH RUCKER]

IN COMMUNITIES THAT ARE FEELING THE INFLUX OF MIGRANTS –

THERE HAS BEEN VOCAL DISSENT FROM BLACK RESIDENTS –

EVEN IN DEMOCRATIC CITIES.

LIKE CHICAGO.

CHICAGO HAS SPENT HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS ON NEARLY 40 THOUSAND MIGRANTS IN THE CITY.

SOME RESIDENTS THERE – BRING UP THE AMOUNT OF CITY AND STATE RESOURCES GOING TOWARD MIGRANTS –

RESOURCES THEY SAY THEIR COMMUNITY HAS LONG BEEN IN NEED OF.

[INTERVIEWEE]

“We need that money in my neighborhood we need that on my block. So I’m asking y’all to use our tax money for our people. We need it.”

“You vote for the money for these immigrants today, and we’re coming for those seats, you can believe that.” 

[KARAH RUCKER]

BLACK AND HISPANIC VOTERS WILL CARRY HEAVY WEIGHT IN THE 2024 ELECTION.

BIDEN – AND TRUMP – KNOW THIS.

WHICH IS WHY IN THE DEBATE –

AND ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL –

APPEALING TO THIS GROUP –

IS IN THE HIGH INTEREST OF BOTH CAMPS.

I’M KARAH RUCKER.

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