NEW AMERICANS IN THE NORTH STAR STATE: Immigrants, Latinos, and Asians are an Economic and Political Powerhouse in Minnesota

The Immigration Policy Center continues its series on the economic benefits of immigration to the various states (which is especially appropriate given the restrictionist agitation in many states).  It has compiled research that shows that immigrants, Latinos, and Asians are an essential part of Minnesota’s economy and tax base. As workers, consumers, taxpayers, and entrepreneurs, immigrants and their children are an economic powerhouse. As the state works towards economic recovery, immigrants and their children will continue to play a key role in shaping the economic and political landscape of the North Star State.

Highlights from Minnesota include:

• Immigrants make up nearly 7% of Minnesota’s total population.

• More than 40% of immigrants in Minnesota are naturalized U.S. citizens who are eligible to vote. • Over 100,000 registered voters in Minnesota are New Americans.

• The purchasing power of Minnesota’s Latinos totaled $4.4 billion and Asians totaled $5.3 billion in 2008. The purchasing power of Asian-Indians was $500 million, while that of Somalis was $164 million.

• If all unauthorized immigrants were removed from Minnesota, the state would lose $4.4 billion in expenditures, $2.0 billion in economic output and approximately 24,299 jobs.

There is no denying the contributions immigrants, Latinos, and Asians make and the important role they play in Minnesota’s political and economic future. For more data on their contributions to Minnesota’s economic and political future, view the IPC fact sheet in its entirety. Download New%20Americans%20in%20the%20North%20Star%20State%202009[1]

KJ