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The U.S. population is growing, but much of that growth is coming from immigration. Back in January, the Brookings Institution reported the U.S. population grew nearly 1% between 2023 and 2024, with immigrants responsible for most of the gains.

In the last year, President Trump has embarked on an aggressive mass deportation agenda that has had federal agents sweeping through major cities such as Chicago and Los Angeles, and less populous locations, including Charlotte and the Triangle in North Carolina.

To immediately address the consequences of low fertility rates, the country could welcome immigration to address labor shortages, Guzzo said.

Worries about the solvency of the Social Security system because of declining birth rates could be addressed by increasing or eliminating the cap on Social Security taxes, she said. Wages above $176,100 aren’t taxed. The cap rises to adjust for inflation every year.