In February, the US economy experienced a loss of 92,000 jobs, and the unemployment rate rose to 4.4%. Economists had expected modest growth, but instead, job losses were recorded in sectors such as construction, manufacturing, restaurants, administrative services, and healthcare.

This situation is not just a bad month; it is a structural transformation that has been building for years, demonstrating a labor shortage crisis in the country.

Birth rates in the United States have fallen below replacement levels, and the Congressional Budget Office projects an annual decline in the population under 24 for the next three decades. An analysis by the Brookings Institution revealed that net migration to the United States was negative in 2025 for the first time in at least half a century.

These trends point to a shrinking workforce, threatening economic growth, global competitiveness, and fiscal stability in the coming decades.

About half of recently arrived immigrants authorized to work hold at least a bachelor's degree. Many are engineers, healthcare professionals, financial analysts, and educators, but they face significant barriers such as credential recognition, limited professional networks, and hiring biases.

This leads to situations where highly qualified professionals are forced to accept jobs below their level of experience, thus losing the value of their skills and knowledge.

Jawad, a nurse trained in Tunisia, spent years working as an Uber driver and in warehouses after immigrating to Chicago, even when a local hospital needed 20 nurses. Through Upwardly Global, Jawad received counseling and resources, which allowed him to get a position in the ICU of that hospital.

Stories like Jawad's demonstrate how the lack of adequate opportunities prevents immigrants from fully contributing to the economy.

Immigrant job seekers initially earn an average of $9,000 per year. After receiving counseling and resources to find a position that matches their skills, their average starting salary exceeds $66,000, an increase of $57,000 per capita in the first year. This income boosts consumer spending, tax revenue, and GDP growth.

Through tens of thousands of job placements, Upwardly Global alumni have contributed billions to the US economy.

Business leaders can evaluate candidates based on their actual skills, not where their credentials were issued, partner with workforce development organizations, and invest in the colleges that train the future workforce.

These actions not only benefit companies by filling their vacancies but also contribute to a more dynamic and equitable labor market.