NEW AMERICANS IN THE BEEHIVE STATE: Immigrants, Latinos, and Asians are Growing Economic and Political Force in Utah

 The Immigration Policy Center, as part of its continuing series of papers of the economic impacts of immigration on the several states, has compiled research which shows that immigrants, Latinos, and Asians are an important part of Utah’s economy, labor force, and tax base. Immigrants and their children are a growing economic and political force as workers, consumers, taxpayers, and entrepreneurs. With the state working towards recovery, immigrants and their children will continue to play a key role in shaping the economic and political future of the Beehive State.  Download New_Americans_in_the_Beehive_State_2009[1]

Highlights from Utah include:

• Utah was home to 215,757 immigrants in 2007.

• 33.2% of immigrants in 2007 (or 96,401 people) in Utah were naturalized U.S. citizens who are eligible to vote.

• 1 in 7 Utahns are Latino or Asian.

• Latinos accounted for 2.2% (or 21,000) and Asians 1.2% ( or 11,000) of Utah voters in the 2008 elections.

• The 2008 purchasing power of Latinos in Utah totaled $5.8 billion and Asian buying power totaled $1.8 billion.

• If all unauthorized immigrants were removed from Utah, the state would lose $2.3 billion in expenditures, $1.0 billion in economic output, and approximately 14,219 jobs.

There is no denying the contributions immigrants, Latinos, and Asians make and the important role they will play in Utah’s political and economic future.

KJ