Massachusetts Immigrants by the Numbers: Demographic Characteristics and Economic Footprint
This report compares the foreign-born and native-born populations along the following dimensions: demographic characteristics, income, industry and occupation, contribution to state and local taxes and certain social costs.
On the whole, established immigrants (in the U.S. for 10 or more years) and natives are very much alike in terms of basic measures of success.
The strengths and assets that immigrants bring include population and labor force growth, technology and science-based skills, youth and diversity. Immigrants are critical to the sustainability of the Massachusetts workforce.
The challenges that many recent immigrants face include poverty, limited English language skills and low educational attainment among some groups.
Nevertheless, differences between all immigrants and natives in tax payments and receipt of social services and transfer payments (food stamps, public assistance, Social Security, etc.) are small.
Clayton-Mathews, A. & Watanabe, P. (2009). Massachusetts Immigrants by the Numbers: Demographic Characteristics and Economic Footprint. Malden, MA: The Immigrant Learning Center.