Economic indicators confirm that the economy is in a recession. Historically, international migration ebbs during economic crises; e.g., immigration to the United States was at its lowest levels during the Great Depression. While preliminary statistical trends hint at a slowing of migration pressures, it remains unclear how the current economic recession will effect immigration. Addressing these contentious policy reforms against the backdrop of economic crisis sharpens the social and business cleavages and narrows the range of options.
Even as U.S. unemployment rises, some employers maintain that they continue to need the "best and the brightest" workers, regardless of their country of birth, to remain competitive in a worldwide market and to keep their firms in the United States. While support for increasing employment-based immigration may be dampened by the economic recession, proponents argue that the ability to hire foreign workers is an essential ingredient for economic growth.