Of 472 civilian occupations defined by the Department of…
“Of 472 civilian occupations defined by the Department of Commerce, only six are majority immigrant (legal and illegal). These six occupations account for 1 percent of the total U.S. workforce. Many jobs often thought to be overwhelmingly done by immigrants are in fact majority native-born: 51 percent of maids are U.S.-born, as are 63 percent of butchers and meat processors, and 73 percent of janitors.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Immigrant representation is low in most U.S. jobs; only a few occupations are majority immigrant, contradicting common stereotypes.
In simple terms: Immigrants are a small share of most jobs.
Challenge assumptions with data.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- policy debate
- media reporting
- education curricula
- community outreach
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How do stereotypes form about immigrant labor?
- What policies could address misconceptions?
Data may be outdated or not capture informal sectors.