Immigration and the American Economy: Growth, Fiscal Impact, and Trade-Offs

Immigration and the American Economy: Growth, Fiscal Impact, and Trade-Offs

Join the Adam Smith Society for a talk with Daniel Di Martino, a fellow at the Manhattan Institute, on the economics of U.S. immigration policy. Drawing on his research, Di Martino will unpack how different immigrant groups — by education, age, and legal status — affect GDP, government budgets, and long-term economic growth, and what trade-offs different policy proposals involve.

In keeping with our mission of bringing together students and professionals to discuss and debate free-market ideas, this talk won't argue for a single "right" answer. Instead, it's designed to surface the genuine tensions at play: fiscal cost versus economic contribution, short-term versus long-term effects, and who bears the gains and costs of different labor market outcomes. The session closes with open Q&A and discussion — we want to hear where you push back.

When: Wednesday, September 30, 2026, 1:00 PM
Where: TEP 2111, Tepper School of Business
Hosted by: The Adam Smith Society, with support from the Manhattan Institute and YAF

Open to all students interested in the competition of ideas — no background in economics required.