The Daily Money: Immigrants and the economy

Good morning! It’s Daniel de Visé with your Daily Money.

The surge into the U.S. of immigrants lacking permanent legal status has emerged as one of the most politically charged issues of the 2024 presidential election, Paul Davidson reports.

The wave of new arrivals has boosted the U.S. economy, while helping temper inflation, a top issue for voters.

Or has it? Some recent studies question that hypothesis. And Republicans argue immigrants are taking jobs from Americans, a contention Democrats refute.

Read the full story.

Why gas prices are an election issue

Republican leaders from around the country have taken the stage in Milwaukee this week, praising their presidential pick, Donald Trump, and bashing President Joe Biden.

Several speakers hammered on the economy as a big mark against Biden's record, encouraging voters to remember how much gas prices have changed in the last few years, Kinsey Crowley reports.

On Tuesday, Lara Trump said "gas hit a low of $1.87 a gallon" under her father-in-law's presidency. "As I speak here to tonight, many of our fellow Americans don't know how they'll pay for their next trip to the grocery store."

Despite some economic successes under the Biden administration, many voters still think Trump handled the economy better.

Here are the facts.

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Do you got that dog in you? Well, National Hot Dog Day passed on July 17, so maybe you should.

Americans buy 20 billion hot dogs a year, Julia Gomez reports.

People will even get into arguments over whether or not Chicago's dogs are better than New York's or Coney Island's. But regardless, hot dogs are an iconic part of American culture.

Ready to devour one? Here's everything to know about cooking a hot dog.

About The Daily Money

Each weekday, The Daily Money delivers the best consumer and financial news from USA TODAY, breaking down complex events, providing the TLDR version, and explaining how everything from Fed rate changes to bankruptcies impacts you.

Daniel de Visé covers personal finance for USA Today.