The Role of Immigrants in Growing Baltimore: Recommendations to Retain and Attract New Americans

The City of Baltimore competes with other major U.S. cities in trying to attract and retain immigrants as catalysts for economic growth and community revitalization.

To better support immigrants, a New Americans Task Force created by the Mayor's Office studied this challenge and opportunity. This report is the result of this inquiry, and it both reveals the contributions of immigrants to the Baltimore area and makes recommendations to improve their integration into the community. The report finds that, since 2000, Baltimore has experienced a resurgence of immigrants who have boosted Baltimore's economy. In 2011, foreign-born workers earned approximately $1 billion in wages and their unemployment rate was almost two percentage points below that of the general population. Immigrants also tend to be more highly educated and are more entrepreneurial; they own 21 percent of the city's businesses, a figure three times greater than their seven percent share of population. However, the report states that more can be done to engage with and support the city's immigrant population. As such, the report makes 32 recommendations to better identify and meet  the needs of the immigrant community and to facilitate their economic contribution.  These recommendations are grouped into six categories: workforce development, small business development, housing, welcome and diversity, safety, and youth. (Robert Smith for The Immigrant Learning Center, Inc.'s Public Education Institute)

Download it here or view it online.

Get more information from New Americans Task Force: City of Baltimore.