Immigrants are a critical and growing segment of the region’s population and workforce. Between 1990 and 2000, the foreign born population rose 34.7 percent and now accounts for 9.5 percent of total population in Massachusetts. By 2030, MAPC projects that nearly a quarter of the region’s population will be foreign-born. Without new immigrants to the Commonwealth, the region’s population and workforce would have suffered a significant decline.
From an economic perspective, immigrants are a diverse group. A quarter of recent immigrants arrive with a college degree or more, attracted by the region’s higher education institutions and cutting-edge businesses. Many other immigrants arrive seeking opportunity, but they lack English language skills or need additional education to fully participate in those opportunities.
Policies and programs are needed to leverage the brainpower and labor of recent immigrants to support economic growth. Immigrant entrepreneurs have already emerged as key engines of economic growth and community change in the older urban cities of Massachusetts. Relatively modest investments in education, training, and technical assistance will yield tremendous benefits in the form of a skilled workforce, a growing immigrant middle class, and reduced dependency on social programs.
17) Expand funding for the adult basic education, including English for Speakers of Other Languages
19) Reform visa and green card systems to support immigrant entrepreneurs and skilled workers
20) Develop a better understanding of immigrants and economic development to inform public policy