Classifying Foreign Labor and Student Enrollment as distinct U.S. Industries!
An Updated NAICS Framework!
In 2024, foreign-born workers represented 19.2% of the U.S. civilian labor force, contributing substantially across sectors such as technology, healthcare, construction, and agriculture (Bureau of Labor Statistics,
2024).
Meanwhile, 1.58 million international students on F-1, M-1, J-1, and OPT/CPT programs contributed $43.8 billion in direct economic activity and supported approximately 378,000 U.S. jobs in housing, education, services, and transportation (NAFSA, 2024; SEVIS, 2025).
Despite this significant footprint, foreign labor and international student enrollment remain unclassified as distinct U.S. industries, operating largely within a regulatory blind spot. Unlike finance, manufacturing, or healthcare—each with defined oversight structures and NAICS codes—these sectors function without standardized reporting or taxation transparency.
Under OnShoringAmerica.com, the Industry Framework Paper proposes a pragmatic, non-legislative solution:
→ Formally classify foreign labor and international student enrollment as standalone U.S. industries under the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS):
- NAICS 561399 — Foreign Labor Placement and Management Services
- NAICS 611319 — International Student Enrollment and Compliance Services
Importantly, this classification process does not require Congressional or Senate approval.
It can be enacted solely through the U.S. Census Bureau, allowing for administrative implementation without new legislation.
This reclassification would establish:
- Structured oversight of all non-citizen labor and enrollment channels,
- Transparent data reporting across federal and state agencies, and
- Targeted taxation and compliance mechanisms that do not alter immigration status or limit lawful participation.
Conclusion
Foreign labor and international student enrollment represent multi-billion-dollar industries. By classifying them under NAICS 561399 and 611319, the U.S. can bring transparency, accountability, and structure to sectors that have long operated with limited oversight — while prioritizing opportunities for American citizen workers and students.
Congressional advocacy can help amplify and accelerate these proposals, but official NAICS classification changes do not require legislative approval.