Even as the United States grapples with internal divisions over allowing more foreign workers into the country, global rivals take proactive measures by lowering immigration barriers to address labor shortages. Actions taken by several wealthy nations to open their borders wider in response to shifting labor dynamics directly affects economic development.

The immediate catalyst for this trend can be traced back to the COVID-19 pandemic, which disrupted labor markets and economies worldwide. In the aftermath of the pandemic, many affluent countries find themselves facing record-low unemployment rates and a significant number of job vacancies. As demographics shift and the retirement of baby boomers shrinks the labor force, several countries actively seek foreign workers to address these pressing challenges.

Among the countries implementing substantial changes to their immigration laws, Germany stands out. Officials there are rewriting immigration laws to create a points-based system that welcomes both college graduates and blue collar workers. The system awards points based on such factors as age, with preference given to younger individuals and those with educational qualifications, work experience and German language competency.

Canada announced plans last year to accept nearly 1.5 million more migrants by 2025. And in South Korea, there are plans to admit 110,000 low-skilled foreign workers this year, a significant increase from the quota for the previous year.

Even counties historically skeptical of immigration, including Japan, are opening new visa paths for high-skilled foreign workers and extending opportunities for blue collar workers to stay and bring their families.

Germany’s revamped immigration system acknowledges the need for both skilled and unskilled labor, ensuring a balanced approach to addressing labor shortages. Canada’s ambitious migration plan demonstrates a commitment to bolstering its work force to drive economic growth. South Korea’s decision to increase the number of low-skilled foreign workers recognizes the vital role they play in such industries as agriculture and manufacturing. Japan’s shift towards welcoming blue collar workers reflects a change in mindset and a recognition of the contributions such workers make to the economy. These countries anticipate positive economic effects through increased labor force participation and reduced job vacancies.

Despite its role as one of the largest recipients of immigrants, the U.S. hasn’t undertaken substantial immigration reforms since 1990. Through legal immigration programs, nearly 300,000 Ukrainian refugees have entered the U.S. through the Biden administration program called Uniting for Ukraine. Although this number surpasses the total number of refugees admitted through legal channels over the previous seven years, it remains inadequate to meet growing work force needs.

Some states are taking proactive measures. North Dakota has tapped Ukrainian workers to fill positions in the Bakken oil fields by creating collaborative initiatives to recruit refugee workers from Ukraine through humanitarian sponsorships of legal immigrants in partnership with firms specializing in immigration.

Regardless of political viewpoints, there’s no doubt about how changing demographics and declining populations affect our cities and forever change the work force. Demographers, economists and other industry professionals talk about the age and skill gaps in the existing work force and the inevitability of future measures opening paths for legal immigration.

Migrant refugee workers primarily from Afghanistan, Latin America and Ukraine who entered the U.S. legally in 2021 and 2022 under temporary government protections have helped address labor shortages in such industries such as construction, food services and manufacturing, filling about a quarter of the total job openings in those sectors. That’s according to a recent report by FWD.us, a pro-immigration think tank.

As global rivals actively embrace immigration to alleviate labor shortages, the U.S. remains divided on this matter. While some progress has been made in welcoming refugee workers, broader immigration reforms are still needed to establish clear legal pathways.

Striking the right balance between economic needs and public sentiment remains a complex challenge. The experiences of such countries as Germany, Canada, South Korea and Japan in tailoring immigration policies to address labor shortages can help determine the path in the U.S.

There’s an opportunity to preserve the character of our regions while promoting economic growth. There’s still a chance to ensure a brighter future for the country by working together to find solutions that make our communities whole.