Mentor/s
Professor Arc Han
Participation Type
Paper Talk
Abstract
Can mass deportation of immigrants, as some political leaders claim, effectively protect local workers and stimulate the local economy? This research analyzes the impact of mass deportations on the U.S. economy using historical data and case studies. During periods of economic recession, mass deportation can lead to reduced consumption, shrinking markets, and the disruption of production chains. By examining the mass deportation of Mexican immigrants during and after the Great Depression, this study demonstrates that such a policy did not improve the job market for native workers. Even when jobs were created because of the loss of this workforce, the native population was unwilling to take positions that involved manual labor and low wages. Additionally, deportation severely impacted the agriculture and banking sectors, disrupting capital flows and increasing food and labor costs. My findings suggest that mass deportation does not address job insecurity; instead, it leads to the loss of a critical segment of the U.S. workforce and exacerbates economic recessions.
College and Major available
Political Science
Academic Level
Undergraduate student
Location
Session 11: Digital Commons & West W110
Start Day/Time
4-25-2025 9:30 AM
End Day/Time
4-25-2025 10:45 AM
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 4.0 License
The Hidden Consequences of Mass Deportation
Session 11: Digital Commons & West W110
Can mass deportation of immigrants, as some political leaders claim, effectively protect local workers and stimulate the local economy? This research analyzes the impact of mass deportations on the U.S. economy using historical data and case studies. During periods of economic recession, mass deportation can lead to reduced consumption, shrinking markets, and the disruption of production chains. By examining the mass deportation of Mexican immigrants during and after the Great Depression, this study demonstrates that such a policy did not improve the job market for native workers. Even when jobs were created because of the loss of this workforce, the native population was unwilling to take positions that involved manual labor and low wages. Additionally, deportation severely impacted the agriculture and banking sectors, disrupting capital flows and increasing food and labor costs. My findings suggest that mass deportation does not address job insecurity; instead, it leads to the loss of a critical segment of the U.S. workforce and exacerbates economic recessions.
Students' Information
Gracie Patriarco:
Political Science and Global Affairs double major with a Middle Eastern Studies minor, graduating in Spring of 2026.