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

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

• Nebraska was home to 98,512 immigrants in 2007.

• 37.0% of immigrants in 2007 (or 36,423 people) in Nebraska were naturalized U.S. citizens who are eligible to vote. • Latinos accounted for 7.5% (or 133,093) and Asians 1.4% (or 24,844) of Nebraskans in 2007.

• The 2008 purchasing power of Latinos totaled $2.8 billion and Asian buying power totaled $1.0 billion in Nebraska in 2007.

• If all unauthorized immigrants were removed from Nebraska, the state would lose $852.4 billion in expenditures, $378.6 million in economic output, and approximately 5,400 jobs.

KJ