November Jobless Rate up to 9.8%; DREAM Act Would Add up to 2.1 Million Workers to Job Market
The jobless rate inched up in November to 9.8% after settling at 9.6% for the past several months. The jobless rate for most vulnerable groups of U.S. citizens and legal immigrants all increased in November. If passed by Congress, the DREAM Act Amnesty would add up to 2.1 million individuals to the depressed job market and allow for them to sponsor their family members in later years.
The newest version of the DREAM Act (S.3992) introduced by Senator Dick Durbin allows for individuals who qualify for the DREAM Act to "engage in employment in the United States." The Migration Policy Institute estimates that up to 2.1 million illegal aliens could qualify for the DREAM Act all of which would be eligible to obtain jobs.
Several vulnerable groups were impacted by the loss of jobs last month. The jobless rate for citizens and legal immigrants with less than a high school diploma rose from 15.3% in October to 15.7% in November. Among all Hispanics, the jobless rate rose from 12.6% to 13.2%, and among all Black Americans, the jobless rate rose from 15.7% to 16.0%.
To see the full report, visit the Bureau of Labor Statistics' website.