Final answer:
The impact of minorities and immigrants on the U.S. workforce can be seen in increased diversity and cultural enrichment but also results in socioeconomic disparities and heightened job competition.
Step-by-step explanation:
Minorities and immigrants have a significant impact on the U.S. workforce through various means. Statement (a), Increased diversity, highlights that racial and ethnic diversity is rising in the U.S. workforce. This trend is expected to continue, with the white American population projected to drop to 69% by 2060, and the Hispanic population anticipated to increase significantly. Cultural enrichment (c) also underscores the valuable contributions to the workplace in terms of varied perspectives and innovative ideas.
However, the effects of an increasingly diverse workforce can also lead to socioeconomic disparities (d), as social programs such as Welfare and Social Security exist to protect those who fall into poverty despite employment. Additionally, job competition (b) could intensify as a consequence of a more diverse labor pool. Although market forces might incentivize businesses to act in less discriminatory ways to exploit the full potential of the diverse consumer base.