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

The Immigration Policy Center has compiled research which shows that immigrants, Latinos, and Asians are an important part of Iowa’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 Hawkeye State.  Download New_Americans_in_the_Hawkeye_State_2009[1]

Highlights from Iowa include:

• Iowa was home to 117,437 immigrants in 2007.

• 34.5% of immigrants in 2007 (or 40,473 people) in Iowa were naturalized U.S. citizens who are eligible to vote.

• Latinos accounted for 4.0% (or 119,522) and Asians 1.6% (or 47,809) of Iowans in 2007.

• The 2008 purchasing power of Latinos totaled $2.4 billion and Asian buying power totaled $1.7 billion in Iowa in 2007.

• Unauthorized immigrant families in Iowa paid between $40 million and $62 million in state and local taxes in 2007.

• If all unauthorized immigrants were removed from Iowa, the state would lose $1.4 billion in expenditures, $613.4 billion in economic output, and approximately 8,819 jobs.

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

For up-to-date news on the aftermath of teh Postville, Iowa raid in 2008, click here.

KJ