NEW AMERICANS IN THE BADGER STATE Immigrants, Latinos, and Asians are Growing Economic and Political Force in Wisconsin

The  Immigration Policy Center has compiled research which shows that immigrants, Latinos, and Asians are an important part of Wisconsin’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 Badger State. Highlights from Wisconsin include:

• Wisconsin was home to 252,150 immigrants in 2007.

 • 41.2% of immigrants in 2007 (or 103,291 people) in Wisconsin were naturalized U.S. citizens who are eligible to vote.

• Latinos accounted for 4.8% (or 268,879) and Asians 1.9% (or 106,431) of Wisconsinites in 2007.

• The 2008 purchasing power of Latinos totaled $5.3 billion and Asian buying power totaled $3.0 billion in Wisconsin in 2007.

• If all unauthorized immigrants were removed from Wisconsin, the state would lose $2.6 billion in expenditures, $1.2 billion in economic output, and approximately 14,579 jobs.

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

But the real question is whether immigrants in Wisconsin root for the Pack (aka Green Bay Packers)?

KJ