Trump States Continuation of Legal Immigration

Summary

President Trump stated on February 25 that his administration will “always allow immigrants to enter legally” Zhitong. However, this contrasts with recent executive actions effective early 2026 that expanded entry restrictions to 39 countries and suspended visa processing for citizens of 75 nations .

Impact Analysis

Don’t let the headline fool you—this is a verbal hedge, not a policy pivot. While Trump is saying “legal entry is fine” Zhitong, his administration is simultaneously redefining what “legal” looks like by freezing visas for 75 nations and reviewing Biden-era green cards .

The Signal: Management is trying to soften the optics for the business lobby without actually loosening the labor spigot. The structural trend remains a contraction of the labor supply.

Market Implications:

• Labor Inflation: The “legal” pipeline is narrower than it looks. Expect persistent wage pressure in hospitality, agriculture, and construction where reliance on immigrant labor is highest.
• Tech Friction: The review of previously issued green cards introduces retention risk for high-skilled tech talent.
• The Trade: This reinforces the Automation & Robotics thesis. If human capital becomes structurally scarcer and more expensive, Capex must shift to automation. Look at industrial automation (ROK) and Ag-tech (DE) as the primary beneficiaries of this friction.