In a recent debate, former President Donald Trump claimed that immigrants were taking "Black jobs" and warned of a significant impact on the US economy. However, available data contradicts this narrative by showing that immigrants are not filling roles en masse that would otherwise go to American citizens.

Derrick Johnson, CEO of the NAACP, rightly pointed out that there is no such thing as a "Black job" or a "white job." Employment opportunities should be based on merit and skills, rather than race or ethnicity.

Contrary to Trump's claims, the data reveals that both the Biden and Trump administrations saw gains for Black workers in terms of employment. Under President Trump, the unemployment rate for Black workers reached a record low of 5.3% in September 2019. This trend continued under President Biden, with the rate dropping even further to an all-time low of 4.8% in April 2023.

Although the broader US labor market has experienced a slowdown, the employment situation for Black workers remains generally favorable. Currently, Black unemployment stands at 6.1%, aligning with the national rate, which has climbed from a low of 3.4% in January 2023 to 4%. Additionally, the labor force participation rate for Black workers has improved under President Biden, with 64% of the US Black population engaging in the workforce, compared to 63.2% during the peak of the Trump administration.

The White House released a report in May acknowledging the progress Black workers have made in recent years, stating that the overall labor market benefits the middle and working classes, particularly Black Americans.

While some debate-watchers expressed confusion and criticized the moderators for not challenging Trump's claims, others emphasized the need to recognize the diversity within the Black community. Former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms humorously questioned if her law degree qualified her for a "Black job," highlighting the absurdity of categorizing jobs based on race.

It is worth noting that recent improvements in the fortunes of Black workers have not been uniform. Although Black workers are more likely to be union members compared to other racial or ethnic groups, union membership rates have fallen to a record low of 10% under the Biden administration.

In terms of wages, Black workers experienced a two-decade high of $314 in inflation-adjusted weekly earnings under Trump. This was marginally surpassed in the fourth quarter of 2023 under Biden, reaching $315. However, recent inflation and a cooling job market have resulted in a decline in average weekly earnings to $293 for Black workers.

The data also suggests that immigrants are not "taking" jobs from native-born workers in general. The Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that the unemployment rate for US-born citizens remains near all-time lows, standing at 3.8% in May, lower than the overall national rate of 4%. This indicates that if immigrants were displacing native workers, the unemployment rate for US-born citizens would be considerably higher.

Experts assert that newly arrived immigrants often fill roles in industries such as construction, food service, and agriculture which tend to have labor shortages. These positions are likely to remain unfilled by native-born workers, regardless of their race or ethnicity.

In conclusion, the claim that immigrants are taking "Black jobs" has no basis in the available data. Unemployment rates for Black workers have seen positive trends under both the Biden and Trump administrations. The overall labor market has benefited the middle and working classes, including Black Americans. The data suggests that immigrants are not displacing native-born workers on a large scale. It is vital to move away from divisive rhetoric and focus on creating equal opportunities for all Americans, regardless of their race or ethnicity.