 but just as crucially, gins up demand for goods and services, which strengthens the economy and creates the need for new jobs. 726, quote, most of the academic research on immigration over the decades finds that it is generally a net positive for the economy. Some studies do find job losses for low-wage workers, said Julia Pollack, chief economist at ZipRecruiter. Still, she said, the picture is constantly in flux, especially given the U.S. population that is quickly reaching the retirement age. But is that true?