But think-tank economists warned Business Insider that former President Donald Trump's proposed mass deportation could open that door right back up.
Beyond posing significant humanitarian concerns, economists worry Trump's proposed mass deportation would be hugely inflationary, partly due to the basic calculations of supply and demand.
Both he and Edelberg said a sudden mass deportation would upend the labor supply and, in turn, the ability to make goods.
McKibbin has researched the impact of mass deportation and said it would lead to a combination of lower production and higher costs, particularly in the agriculture and construction sectors.
Add on the uncertainty that mass deportation would bring, and a chilling effect among investors seems plausible.
Persons:
—, Donald Trump's, Kamala Harris, Trump, Harris, Trump's, Wendy Edelberg, Warwick McKibbin, Edelberg, Adam Posen, Posen, McKibbin, Josh Bivens
Organizations:
Service, Federal Reserve, Trump, Business, Brookings Institution, Peterson Institute for International Economics, Peterson Institute, Bloomberg TV, Economic Policy Institute, Democratic