Positive and negative signals coming out of the economy have experts questioning the direction of the U.S. labor market.

“It will be months or even years before we see the full effects of tariffs, federal cuts and immigration policies in the labor market,” she told CNN in an email.

Politics A day outside an LA immigration detention center shows profound effects of ICE raids by Associated Press July 2, 2025, 8:49 a.m.

The US private sector lost jobs in June, the first negative month in more than two years, according to new data Wednesday from payroll provider ADP.

The U.S. labor market sees a boost with nearly 7.8 million job openings in May, a high not seen in six months.

U.S. job openings unexpectedly rose in May, showing resilience in the labor market despite high borrowing costs and rising economic uncertainty.

ICE enforcement is stoking anxiety among immigrant workers, who make up over a third of Houston's construction labor. Contractors warn the labor shortage will deepen as deportations rise.

With ICE immigration crackdown across U.S., the day-laborer market in the construction industry and common in Home Depot parking lots has gone into hiding.