Labor Market Strength Test
Kenan Institute Research Economist Sarah Dickerson analyzes what she calls strong but softening employment numbers in our June briefing after the economy added jobs for the third straight month.
immigration
Addressing Immigrant Labor Declines in North Carolina
North Carolina has emerged as one of the strongest state economies, but declines in immigrant labor threaten to affect major industries. We identify which sectors in NC’s largest regional economies are most vulnerable and identify strategies to support employers and maintain economic output.
Tariffs and Deportations
Research Economist Sarah Dickerson shared news of healthy jobs numbers from June and looked at the effects of a decrease in foreign-born workers on new home construction.
Jun 14, 2026
Tara Watson: An Economist’s Guide to Immigration Reform
Watson, a Kenan Institute Distinguished Fellow, will discuss key findings from the economics literature and their implications for where to focus immigration reform efforts.
Labor Supply: Inside the Tight Labor Market
As part of our 2023 grand challenge, we survey factors such as demographics, health trends, immigration and childcare that are essential to understanding the dynamics now at play regarding the supply of workers in the labor force.
Research Shows Diversity Drives Value, Innovation
Immigrant inventors produce more patents than native U.S. citizens, among other key findings, according to a new Entrepreneurship Center and Kenan Institute report.
Anti-immigrant Policies Will Hurt America’s COVID-19 Recovery
U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration has recently ramped up efforts to keep immigrants from entering the country and force out some who are already here – arguing these to be necessary measures to contain the spread of COVID-19 and protect American jobs. However, in this Kenan Insight, we summarize why these policies risk having exactly the opposite effect, harming the future health, social well-being and economic viability of our nation.
Coronavirus Pandemic Refugees and the Future of American Cities
On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a global pandemic. Within two months, nearly half a million people fled hard-hit New York City. Will they return once the crisis has passed? In this Kenan Insight, we explore how the ongoing pandemic is raising questions about the future attractiveness of large cities as places to live and do business.
Why America Needs High-Skilled Immigrants
In recent months, mechanisms that have allowed for high-skilled foreign nationals to study and work in the U.S. have been put on the policy chopping block. In this Kenan Insight, we discuss why high-skilled foreign workers are critical to America's economic health, and why policies must continue to support their entry into the U.S.