New York – A recent opinion piece by Dr. Alon Ben-Meir, published Monday, February 23, 2026, argues that current U.S. Immigration policies are actively undermining the nation’s economic strength and cultural vitality. Ben-Meir contends that the exclusionary policies enacted under the Trump administration represent a stark departure from historical recognition of immigrants’ contributions to American society.
The analysis highlights the critical role immigrants play in the U.S. Agricultural sector, where over 1 million farmworkers are undocumented, comprising roughly 70 percent of all farmworkers, including 40 percent of those involved in crop farming. Recent ICE raids in California’s Central Valley in July 2025, Ben-Meir writes, led to widespread labor shortages, resulting in crop spoilage, financial losses for farmers, and increased food prices. This situation underscores the dependence of American food production on immigrant labor.
Beyond agriculture, the piece details significant immigrant representation in construction, hospitality, and food processing. Immigrants account for approximately 33 percent of meat processing workers and over 80 percent of food manufacturing workers. In the leisure and hospitality sector, they represent roughly 18 percent of the workforce, with over 30 percent of hotel staff being immigrants.
Ben-Meir’s analysis extends to the STEM fields, citing National Science Foundation data indicating that foreign-born workers comprise approximately 22 percent of the U.S. Science and engineering workforce. He notes that roughly 43 percent of those with doctorate degrees in science and engineering occupations are foreign-born, rising to over 55 percent in computer and mathematical sciences. Approximately 30 percent of full-time science and engineering faculty at U.S. Universities are as well foreign-born, particularly at research-intensive institutions.
The opinion piece warns that restricting immigration for scientists from countries like India, China, Mexico, and Argentina could lead to critical talent shortages. Ben-Meir further asserts that immigrants are disproportionately represented among inventors, entrepreneurs, and founders of high-growth startups, contributing significantly to innovation and economic competitiveness.
The article also points to the historical contributions of immigrants to the U.S. Military, noting that as of 2017, approximately 190,000 foreign-born individuals were on active duty, representing 4.5 percent of all active-duty service members. Around 8,000 non-citizens enlist annually, and as of 2022, approximately 731,000 foreign-born veterans had served, constituting around 4.5 percent of the total veteran population. Immigrants have also received over 20 percent of all Medals of Honor.
Ben-Meir contrasts the current climate with the perspective of President Ronald Reagan, who, in his farewell address, emphasized the unique ability of the United States to welcome people from all nations and integrate them into American society. Reagan stated that America’s strength lies in its capacity to draw people from every corner of the world, continuously renewing and enriching the nation.
The piece concludes by sharply contrasting Reagan’s view with what Ben-Meir describes as the “dehumanizing” rhetoric employed by former President Trump, referencing a reported claim about immigrants “eating the dogs…they are eating the cats…They’re eating—they are eating the pets…” Ben-Meir argues that this shift represents a significant moral cost and that closing the door to immigrants would stifle the exceptionally engine of American vitality.
