The US job market faced a stall in September due to sluggish hiring and no change in the unemployment rate, influenced by a decline in foreign-born workers. With the federal government shutdown delaying key reports, alternative data from sources like the Chicago Fed estimated the jobless rate at 4.3%, signaling ongoing labor market sluggishness. Meanwhile, planned layoffs decreased by 37% in September, but hiring remained slow, indicating a stagnant market affected by immigration policies and technological advancements.

Despite conflicting signals on the cause of weak job growth, factors like trade policy uncertainty and AI advancement have impacted demand for workers. The National Federation of Independent Business reported a shortage of qualified applicants, reflecting the challenges in the hiring process. As the shutdown continues, critical reports on consumer prices, retail sales, and inflation data for September are at risk of not being published, affecting decision-making across sectors. Reporting by Ann Saphir emphasizes the need for alternative sources to understand the economy during this government stalemate.