Immigrants have been a vital part of the United States’ history and continue to play a crucial role in shaping its future. While there are many economic benefits to immigration, ensuring the success of immigrants requires more than just welcoming them into the country.
Immigrants bring diverse skills, experiences, and perspectives that enrich the workforce and drive innovation. According to a report by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, immigrants positively impact the overall wages of native-born workers and contribute significantly to the economy through taxes and consumption.
Recent estimates from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) suggest much higher rates of recent immigration than were previously projected. In 2019, CBO projected that net immigration in 2023 would total 1.0 million people; Now, the agency estimates that net immigration in 2023 was 3.3 million. Moreover, the CBO’s current immigration estimates suggest faster population and labor force growth in recent years than currently reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics using Census population estimates.
Here are some quick stats:
According to the Brookings University study, The Hamilton Project, if immigration trends continue at high levels in 2024 as CBO expects, employment growth and economic activity will likely continue to be affected. For example, monthly employment gains of 200,000 may well reflect a sustainable pace of labor market growth. Immigration will continue to be a substantial determinant of population and labor force growth.
Additionally, the U.S. is facing a demographic challenge because of lower fertility rates and population aging. Recent Census projections make it clear that the growth of the U.S. population in the coming decades will hinge critically on the level of immigration.
What does all of that mean? It means that immigrants are crucial to the continued success of the United States. However, for immigrants to fully realize their potential and contribute effectively to the economy, they must have the necessary language and cultural skills. Language barriers can be a significant obstacle for immigrants, limiting their ability to find employment, access education and healthcare, and integrate into their communities. Cultural differences can also pose challenges, making it difficult for immigrants to navigate social norms and expectations.
Providing language and cultural training for immigrants is beneficial not only for them but also for the economy as a whole. Equipping immigrants with the skills they need to succeed is an investment in the future productivity and prosperity of the country. Successful immigrants in their new country are more likely to start businesses, create jobs, and contribute to economic growth.
Language and cultural training are crucial in helping immigrants integrate into society and make meaningful economic contributions. By investing in immigrants' success, we are investing in our future.
Want to learn more about how language and culture training can help? Let us know! We’d love to tell you.
This blog post was written by Megan Tully, Marketing Manager.