Lost Debate Shrinking US Pop, SC on Tariffs, Low Expectations
Nov 6, 2025
Idrees Kahloon, a policy-focused journalist previously at The Atlantic, dives into pressing issues like tariffs and immigration trends. He discusses the legal quandary of presidential tariff authority and the Supreme Court's role in shaping future precedent. Kahloon highlights potential demographic shifts in the U.S., where more people may leave than arrive, impacting Social Security. He also tackles education reform, linking declining test scores to low expectations, while showcasing success stories from Mississippi and New Orleans that emphasize higher standards.
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U.S. Migration Could Turn Negative
- US immigration flows may be shifting toward net zero or negative for the first time in decades due to tightened enforcement.
- Rapidly reduced unauthorized arrivals plus cuts to legal channels create unprecedented population dynamics.
Deportations Don't Boost Native Wages Much
- Historical deportation episodes did not materially raise native wages or employment long-term.
- Employers substitute capital or adjust industries, so the promised gains for native low-skilled workers rarely appear.
Migration Affects Social Security Timeline
- Social Security faces insolvency pressures regardless of immigration, but lower migration accelerates trust fund depletion.
- If the trust fund hits zero, benefits would be cut about 23% unless Congress acts.