Illinois: State-by-State Immigration Trends Introduction Foreign-Born Population Educational Attainment

Illinois: State-by-State Immigration Trends Courtesy of the Humphrey School of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota Prepared in 2012 for the Task Force on US Economic Competitiveness at Risk: A Midwest Call to Action on Immigration Reform Introduction In 2000, Illinois was one of six states in the US that accounted for over two-thirds of immigrants in the United States. The presence of both low- and high-skilled workers in manufacturing, agriculture and food processing is one of the factors contributing to the state s economic resilience. As is the case across the entire United States, the most dramatic demographic shift in Illinois has been the aging of its native-born population a development that increases the tax burden on young workers who make payroll contributions to cover the costs of Social Security and Medicare. A steady influx of immigrant workers is essential to maintaining a young and productive workforce. Foreign-Born Population Illinois boasts the highest percentage (13.7%) of foreign-born residents in the Midwest, making it the only state in the region to surpass the US average. Educational Attainment Immigrants in Illinois are both more and less educated than native-born residents. As a group, they are both more likely to have a graduate or professional degree and less likely to have a high school diploma than their native-born counterparts. Nationally and throughout the Midwest, children of immigrants tend to attain higher levels of education than their parents. Educational attainment is a very important dimension of integration, as it influences potential income and English-language proficiency.

Labor Force Data The proportion of immigrants in the US labor force grew from 9% to 16% between 1990 and 2010, while the percentage of native-born workers decreased from 91% to 84%. The trend of foreign-born labor force growth outpacing that of native-born workers held true in Illinois between 1990 and 2010. The foreign-born workforce in Illinois grew almost 29 times faster than the native-born labor force over the period from 1990 to 2000 and over seven times faster from 2000 to 2010. Within the same time period, the total labor force expanded 1.4%. Almost half of immigrant workers in Illinois were born in Latin America, and a quarter are from Asia. Naturalization and Voting Patterns A clear measure of integration is the rate at which immigrants become naturalized citizens of the United States, a process which requires knowledge of American civics, history, and basic English proficiency. In Illinois, nearly 80% of immigrants who entered the country before 1980 were naturalized citizens, consistent with national numbers.

Poverty Naturalized citizens experienced a lower poverty rate than native-born citizens, who in turn experienced a considerably lower poverty rate than non-citizens, indicating a progressive level of assimilation. Refugees in Illinois Since 2000, Illinois has accepted 23,220 refugees from 66 countries, the majority arriving from Iraq, the former Yugoslavia, Burma, the former Soviet Union, and Somalia. Illinois and more precisely the Chicago metropolitan area has a long history of acting as the primary Midwestern refugee resettlement community in the United States. Since 2000, however, more refugees have opted to resettle in smaller Midwestern cities and suburban communities. Conclusion With the highest rate of foreign-born residents in the Midwest and a primary refugee resettlement community in the region, Illinois has continued to be a magnet for immigration. Despite foreign-born immigrants being concentrated in Chicago, immigrants have started to move into more rural and suburban communities. They represent an important growth in the state s labor force, both in low- and high-skilled jobs.

Indiana: State-by-State Immigration Trends Courtesy of the Humphrey School of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota Prepared in 2012 for the Task Force on US Competitiveness at Risk: A Midwest Call to Action on Immigration Reform Introduction Indiana has a small but rapidly growing foreign-born population. Between 1990 and 2010 it was one of four states in the Midwest that saw an increase in its immigrant population of over 200%. As is the case across the entire United States, the most dramatic demographic shift in Indiana has been the aging of its population a development that increases the tax burden on young workers who make payroll contributions to cover the costs of Social Security and Medicare. A steady influx of immigrant workers is essential to maintaining a young and productive workforce. Foreign-Born Population The percentage of Indiana s foreign-born population is on par with several other Midwestern states such as Iowa, Ohio and Wisconsin, and surpasses states such as Missouri, North Dakota, and South Dakota. However, that percentage is roughly one third of the US average. Educational Attainment Immigrants in Indiana are both more and less educated than native-born residents. As a group, they are both more likely to have a bachelor, graduate or professional degree and less likely to have a high school diploma than their native-born counterparts. Nationally and throughout the Midwest, children of immigrants tend to attain higher levels of education than their parents. Educational attainment is a very important dimension of integration, as it influences potential income and English-language proficiency.

Employment and Wages Since 2000, immigrants have been working in middle-skilled positions at a higher rate than any other kind of employment. Yet the greatest projected numbers of new jobs require little education or training. English Proficiency As is the case across the Midwest, a large majority of Indiana s foreign-born residents have a strong command of English. Geographic Distribution Even as its suburbs saw the most dramatic increase in foreign-born residents between 2000 and 2010, almost 40% of Indiana s immigrants live in Indianapolis.

Labor Force Data The growth of Indiana s foreign-born labor force outpaced that of its native-born workers between 1990 and 2010, although the growth of the total labor force dropped by over half between 2000 and 2010. In fact, the foreign-born workforce in Indiana grew 13 times as fast as the native-born workforce between 1990 and 2000. Between 2000 and 2010, the growth of foreign-born workers outpaced the growth of native-born workers by almost 23 times. Over half of immigrant workers in Indiana were born in Latin America, and a quarter are from Asia.

Naturalization and Voting Patterns A clear measure of integration is the rate at which immigrants become naturalized citizens of the United States, a process which requires knowledge of American civics, history, and basic English proficiency. In Indiana, nearly 80% of immigrants who entered the country before 1980 were naturalized citizens, consistent with national numbers. Poverty Naturalized citizens experienced a slightly lower poverty rate than native-born citizens, who in turn experienced a considerably lower poverty rate than non-citizens, indicating a progressive level of assimilation. Refugees in Indiana As of FY 2010, refugees have made up around 2.8% of the state s total foreign-born population. In light of the looming Burmese humanitarian crisis, several thousand refugees have arrived in Indiana over the past few years, making them the majority refugee population in the state. Fort Wayne, the state s second largest city, has become home to the largest community of Burmese refugees in the country while Indianapolis s population of Karen, Karenni and Chin Burmese refugees currently make up close to 95% of the city s refugees. Conclusion With one of the fastest-growing foreign-born populations in the Midwest and a primary Burmese refugee resettlement community in the region, Indiana has continued to be a magnet for immigration. Even as 40% of the state s foreign-born immigrants are concentrated in Indianapolis, many have started to move into more suburban communities. They represent an important increase in the state s labor force, both in low- and high-skilled jobs.

Iowa: State-by-State Immigration Trends Courtesy of the Humphrey School of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota Prepared in 2012 for the Task Force on US Competitiveness at Risk: A Midwest Call to Action on Immigration Introduction Iowa has a small but rapidly-growing foreign-born population. Between 1990 and 2010 it was one of four states in the Midwest that saw an increase in its immigrant population of over 200%. The increases in the foreign-born population and workforce are key to the future prosperity of Iowa and the Midwest as a whole. The most dramatic demographic shift in the United States today is the aging of the population a development that increases the tax burden on young workers who make payroll contributions to cover the costs of Social Security and Medicare. A steady influx of immigrant workers is essential to maintaining a young and productive workforce. Foreign-Born Population The size of Iowa s foreign-born population is on par with several other Midwestern states such as Indiana, Ohio and Wisconsin and surpasses states such as Missouri, North Dakota, and South Dakota. However, its immigrant population is roughly one-third that of the US average. Educational Attainment Immigrants in Iowa are both more and less educated than native-born residents. As a group, they are both more likely to have a graduate or professional degree and less likely to have a high school diploma than their native-born counterparts. Nationally and throughout the Midwest, children of immigrants tend to attain higher levels of education than their parents. Educational attainment is a very important dimension of integration, as it influences potential income and English-language proficiency.

Employment and Wages Since 2000, immigrants have been working in middle-skilled positions at a higher rate than any other kind of employment. Yet the greatest projected numbers of new jobs require little education or training. English Proficiency As is the case across the Midwest, a large majority of Iowa s foreign-born residents have a strong command of English. Geographic Distribution Iowa s urban, suburban and rural areas all saw significant growth in their foreign-born populations between 2000 and 2010. At 30%, Des Moines enjoys the largest concentration of the state s foreign-born population.

Labor Force Data Immigrants are a small but rapidly-growing part of Iowa s workforce. Between 1990 and 2010, Iowa was one of four states in the Midwest that saw an increase of over 200% in its foreign-born working population. More than 40% of immigrant workers in Iowa were born in Latin America, and a third are from Asia. Naturalization and Voting Patterns A clear measure of integration is the rate at which immigrants become naturalized citizens of the United States, a process which requires knowledge of American civics, history, and basic English proficiency. In Iowa, nearly 72% of immigrants who entered the country in the 1980s were naturalized citizens, 10% higher than the national average.

Refugees in Iowa As of FY 2010, refugees constitute roughly 4.7% of the state s total foreign-born population. In addition to national resettlement agencies operating in Iowa such as Catholic Charities and Lutheran Services, Iowa s Bureau of Refugee Services is the only state government department in the nation to be certified as a voluntary resettlement agency by the U.S. State Department. Refugees have traditionally come from Southeast Asia, especially Burma, and tend to be placed in the Des Moines metropolitan area. The job opportunities in agriculture and meatpacking have attracted many refugee families every year. Conclusion With one of the fastest-growing foreign-born populations in the Midwest and a diverse refugee resettlement community in the region, Iowa has continued to be a magnet for immigration. Despite a third of foreign-born immigrants being concentrated in Des Moines, many have started to move into suburban, rural and other urban areas. They represent an important growth in the state s labor force, both in low-skilled and high-skilled jobs.

Kansas: State-by-State Immigration Trends Courtesy of the Humphrey School of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota Prepared in 2012 for the Task Force on US Economic Competitiveness at Risk: A Midwest Call to Action on Immigration Reform Introduction Kansas has a small but rapidly growing foreign-born population. Continued increases in the foreign-born workforce are key to the future prosperity of the state and the entire Midwest. As is the case across the entire United States, the most dramatic demographic shift in Kansas has been the aging of its population a development that increases the tax burden on young workers who make payroll contributions to cover the costs of Social Security and Medicare. A steady influx of immigrant workers is essential to maintaining a young and productive workforce. Foreign-Born Population While boasting a smaller overall state population than its Midwestern neighbors, Kansas foreign-born population is on-par if not larger than other states in the region. Educational Attainment Immigrants in Kansas are both more and less educated than native-born residents. As a group, they are both more likely to have a graduate or professional degree and less likely to have a high school diploma than their native-born counterparts. Nationally and throughout the Midwest, children of immigrants tend to attain higher levels of education than their parents. Educational attainment is a very important dimension of integration, as it influences potential income and English-language proficiency.

Employment and Wages Since 2000, immigrants have been working in middle-skilled positions at a higher rate than any other kind of employment. Yet the greatest projected numbers of new jobs require little education or training. English Proficiency As is the case across the Midwest, a large majority of Kansas foreign-born residents have a strong command of English. Geographic Distribution Even as rural areas saw the most dramatic increase in foreign-born residents between 2000 and 2010, urban and suburban areas still account for the largest proportion of the foreign-born population in Kansas. Kansas City is home to nearly 70% of immigrants living in urban areas.

Labor Force Data The proportion of immigrants in the US labor force grew from 9% to 16% between 1990 and 2010, while the percentage of native-born workers decreased from 91% to 84%. The trend of the foreign-born labor force growth outpacing that of native-born workers held true in Kansas, although the entire labor force contracted 1.5% between 2000 and 2010. In Kansas, over half of immigrant workers were born in Latin America, and a quarter are from Asia. Naturalization and Voting Patterns A clear measure of integration is the rate at which immigrants become naturalized citizens of the United States, a process which requires knowledge of American civics, history, and basic English proficiency. In Kansas, nearly 76% of immigrants who entered the country before 1980 were naturalized citizens, consistent with national numbers.

Poverty Naturalized citizens experienced a lower poverty rate than native-born citizens, who in turn experienced a considerably lower poverty rate than non-citizens, indicating a progressive level of assimilation. Refugees in Kansas Kansas hosts fewer refugees than any other Midwestern state. As of FY 2010, refugees constitute only 1.1% of the state s total foreign-born population. The actual number of refugees living in Kansas may be higher, however, given the larger number of refugees across the river in Kansas City, Missouri. Moreover, the meatpacking industry, particularly in Western communities such as Garden City, has always attracted a considerable amount of secondary migration, particularly among Vietnamese refugees. Conclusion While boasting a smaller overall state population than its Midwestern neighbors, Kansas foreign-born population is on-par if not larger than other states in the region. Despite two-thirds its foreign-born immigrants being concentrated in Kansas City, the state saw dramatic growth of its foreign-born population in rural areas as well. Immigrants represent an important increase in the state s labor force, both in low- and high-skilled jobs.

Michigan: State-by-State Immigration Trends Courtesy of the Humphrey School of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota Prepared in 2012 for the Task Force on US Economic Competitiveness at Risk: A Midwest Call to Action on Immigration Reform Introduction Of all the states in the Midwest, Michigan and particularly Detroit has been the hardest hit by the recession. Policies that attract and retain foreign-born workers will be key to the future prosperity of the state. As is the case across the US, the most dramatic demographic shift in Michigan today is the aging of the population a development that increases the tax burden on young workers who make payroll contributions to cover the costs of Social Security and Medicare. A steady influx of immigrant workers is essential to maintaining a young and productive work force. Foreign-Born Population Michigan has the second-highest foreign-born population in the Midwest after Illinois. However, its percentage of foreign-born residents (6%) is less than half the national average. Educational Attainment Immigrants in Michigan are both more and less educated than native-born residents. As a group, they are both more likely to have a graduate or professional degree and less likely to have a high school diploma than their native-born counterparts. Nationally and throughout the Midwest, children of immigrants tend to attain higher levels of education than their parents. Educational attainment is a very important dimension of integration, as it influences potential income and English-language proficiency.

Employment and Wages Since 2000, immigrants have been working in middle-skilled positions at a higher rate than any other kind of employment. Yet the greatest projected numbers of new jobs require little education or training. English Proficiency As is the case across the Midwest, a large majority of Michigan s foreign-born residents have a strong command of English. Geographic Distribution Michigan s rural areas saw the most dramatic increase in their foreign-born residents between 2000 and 2010. Detroit is home to the largest proportion of foreign-born residents amongst Michigan s cities.

Labor Force Data While it represents a modest proportion of the state s overall labor force, the foreign-born work force in Michigan grew 11 times faster than the native-born work force between 1990 and 2000. While the native-born population and the total labor force both experienced negative growth between 2000 and 2010, the foreign-born work force did not. Almost half of immigrant workers in Michigan were born in Asia, and almost a quarter are from Europe. Naturalization and Voting Patterns A clear measure of integration is the rate at which immigrants become naturalized citizens of the United States, a process which requires knowledge of American civics, history, and basic English proficiency. In Michigan, nearly 80% of immigrants who entered the country before 1980 were naturalized citizens, consistent with national numbers. In Michigan, 55% of immigrants who entered the country in the 1990s were naturalized citizens, almost 15% higher than the national average.

Poverty Naturalized citizens experienced a slightly lower poverty rate than native-born citizens, who in turn experienced a considerably lower poverty rate than non-citizens, indicating a progressive level of assimilation. Refugees in Michigan Over the past decade, Michigan has welcomed 23,547 refugees from 49 countries. As of FY 2010, refugees have made up 3.6% of the state s total foreign-born population, more than double the proportion nationwide. Despite a struggling Detroit economy, 20% of all Iraqi refugees settle in Detroit, mostly due to the lure of family ties and the prospect of support from the local Arab- American community.

Conclusion Despite economic challenges and low rates of foreign-born population growth, Michigan has become the largest Iraqi refugee community in the region and is implementing new initiatives to attract immigrants. Even as the majority of foreign-born immigrants are concentrated in Detroit, many have started to move into suburban, rural and other urban areas. They represent an important increase in the state s labor force, both in low- and high-skilled jobs.

Minnesota: State-by-State Immigration Trends Courtesy of the Humphrey School of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota Prepared in 2012 for the Task Force on US Economic Competitiveness at Risk: A Midwest Call to Action on Immigration Reform Introduction Minnesota has a small but rapidly growing foreign-born population. Between 1990 and 2010, it was one of four states in the Midwest that had an increase of over 200%. Increases in the foreign-born population and work force are key to the future prosperity of Minnesota and the Midwest. The most dramatic demographic shift in the United States today is the aging of the population a development that increases the tax burden on young workers who make payroll contributions to cover the costs of Social Security and Medicare. A steady influx of immigrant workers is essential to maintaining a young and productive workforce. Foreign-Born Population After Illinois, Minnesota has the largest percentage (7.1%) of foreign-born residents in the Midwest. Educational Attainment Immigrants in Minnesota are both more and less educated than native-born residents. As a group, they are both more likely to have a graduate or professional degree and less likely to have a high school diploma than their native-born counterparts. Nationally and throughout the Midwest, children of immigrants tend to attain higher levels of education than their parents. Educational attainment is a very important dimension of integration, as it influences potential income and English-language proficiency.

Employment and Wages Since 2000, immigrants have been working in middle-skilled positions at a higher rate than any other kind of employment. Yet the greatest projected numbers of new jobs require little education or training. English Proficiency As is the case across the Midwest, a large majority of Minnesota s foreign-born residents have a strong command of English. Geographic Distribution Minnesota s rural areas saw a dramatic increase of 71% in foreign-born residents between 2000 and 2010, while urban and suburban areas grew at a more modest rate. Minneapolis/St. Paul is home to the largest concentration of immigrants in the state.

Labor Force Data Minnesota s foreign-born workforce is growing at a much faster rate than the native-born workforce. Between 1990 and 2010, it grew over 10 times faster. About a third of immigrant workers in Minnesota were born in Asia, and a third are from Latin America. Naturalization and Voting Patterns A clear measure of integration is the rate at which immigrants become naturalized citizens of the United States, a process which requires knowledge of American civics, history, and basic English proficiency. In Minnesota, 45% of all immigrants were naturalized citizens in 2010. Of immigrants in Minnesota who entered the United States before 1980, 83% were citizens in 2009, higher than the national average of 79%. Poverty Naturalized citizens experienced a higher poverty rate than native-born citizens, which goes against trends in other Midwestern states. However, native-born citizens experienced a considerably lower poverty rate than non-citizens, indicating a progressive level of assimilation.

Refugees in Minnesota Over the past decade, Minnesota has emerged as the Midwest s principal gateway state for refugees. Since 2000, Minnesota has accepted 35,410 refugees from 43 countries, 82% of them Africans who have fled economic crises and social upheaval in their home countries. Minnesota hosts the largest Liberian community in the world outside of Western Africa, the country s largest Somalian population (14,312) and the largest Ethiopian population in the Midwest. Moreover, Minnesota is home to the country s second largest Hmong refugee community with 5,271 arriving since 2000. Refugees make up a large percentage (8.9%) of Minnesota s total foreign-born population, which is more than five times the national average. On average, an additional 186 asylees arrive in the state each year. Conclusion With one of the highest rate of foreign-born residents in the Midwest and a primary refugee resettlement community in the region, Minnesota has continued to be a magnet for immigration. Despite foreign-born immigrants being concentrated in Minneapolis/St. Paul, immigrants have started to move into more rural and suburban communities. They represent an important increase in the state s labor force, both in low- and high-skilled jobs.

Missouri: State-by-State Immigration Trends Courtesy of the Humphrey School of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota Prepared in 2012 for the Task Force on US Economic Competitiveness at Risk: A Midwest Call to Action on Immigration Reform Introduction Missouri has a small but growing foreign-born population. Continued increases in the immigrant population are key to the future prosperity of the state and the Midwest. The most dramatic demographic shift in the United States today is the aging of the population a development that increases the tax burden on young workers who make payroll contributions to cover the costs of Social Security and Medicare. A steady influx of immigrant workers is essential to maintaining a young and productive workforce. Foreign-Born Population Missouri has the smallest percentage of foreign-born residents in the Midwest after the Dakotas. Educational Attainment Immigrants in Missouri are both more and less educated than native-born residents. As a group, they are both more likely to have a bachelor, graduate or professional degree and less likely to have a high school diploma than their native-born counterparts. Nationally and throughout the Midwest, children of immigrants tend to attain higher levels of education than their parents. Educational attainment is a very important dimension of integration, as it influences potential income and Englishlanguage proficiency.

Employment and Wages Since 2000, immigrants have been working in middle-skilled positions at a higher rate than any other kind of employment. Yet the greatest projected numbers of new jobs require little education or training. English Proficiency As is the case across the Midwest, a large majority of Missouri s foreign-born residents have a strong command of English. Geographic Distribution The St. Louis suburbs saw the largest growth in its foreign-born population between 2000 and 2010, but Kansas City retains the highest proportion of immigrants in the state.

Labor Force Data Although Missouri s foreign-born workforce makes up a relatively small percentage of the state s total labor force, it grew at a rate that was seven times faster than that for the native-born workforce. Thirty-seven percent of immigrant workers in Missouri were born in Asia, and 31 percent are from Latin America. Naturalization and Voting Patterns A clear measure of integration is the rate at which immigrants become naturalized citizens of the United States, a process which requires knowledge of American civics, history, and basic English proficiency. In Missouri, over 80% of immigrants who entered the country before 1980 were naturalized citizens, consistent with national numbers.

Poverty Naturalized citizens experienced a lower poverty rate than native-born citizens, who in turn experienced a considerably lower poverty rate than non-citizens, indicating a progressive level of assimilation. Refugees in Missouri In recent years, Missouri s fastest-growing refugee countries of origin have been Burma and Bhutan. The flow of refugees from Cuba, Somalia, and Sudan has remained relatively constant, while arrivals from the Former Yugoslavia, Soviet Union, and Vietnam have declined steadily. Between FY 2006 and 2009, an average of 55 asylees also settled in Missouri each year. As of FY 2010, refugees constituted roughly 5.5% of the state s total foreign-born population, more than three times the national average. Conclusion Despite having one of the smallest foreign-born populations in the Midwest, Missouri has one of the highest percentage of refugees in the region. Even as most immigrants are concentrated in Kansas City and St. Louis, many have started to move into suburban areas. They represent an important increase in the state s labor force, both in low- and high-skilled jobs.

Nebraska: State-by-State Immigration Trends Courtesy of the Humphrey School of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota Prepared in 2012 for the Task Force on US Economic Competitiveness at Risk: A Midwest Call to Action on Immigration Reform Introduction Nebraska has a small but rapidly growing foreign-born population. Between 1990 and 2010 it was one of four states in the Midwest that saw an increase in its immigrant population of over 200%. The increases in the foreign-born population and work force are key to the future prosperity of the state and the region. As is the case across the entire United States, the most dramatic demographic shift in Nebraska has been the aging of its population a development that increases the tax burden on young workers who make payroll contributions to cover the costs of Social Security and Medicare. A steady influx of immigrant workers is essential to maintaining a young and productive workforce. Foreign-Born Population While boasting a smaller overall state population than its Midwestern neighbors, Nebraska s foreign-born population is on-par if not larger than that of other states in the region. Educational Attainment Immigrants in Nebraska tend to be less educated than native-born residents. As a group they are much less likely to have a high school diploma than their native-born counterparts and slightly less likely to have a graduate or professional degree. Nationally and throughout the Midwest, children of immigrants tend to attain higher levels of education than their parents. Educational attainment is a very important dimension of integration, as it influences potential income and English-language proficiency.

Employment and Wages Since 2000, immigrants have been working in middle-skilled positions at a higher rate than any other kind of employment. Yet the greatest projected numbers of new jobs require little education or training. English Proficiency As is the case across the Midwest, the large majority of Nebraska s foreign-born residents have a strong command of English. Geographic Distribution While Nebraska s rural areas saw the highest increase in foreign-born residents in the state between 2000 and 2010, Omaha retains the largest proportion of immigrants.

Labor Force Data More than 60% of immigrant workers in Nebraska come from Latin America, and 25% are from Asia. Although the foreign-born workforce makes up a relatively small percentage of the total labor force, it is growing at a much faster rate than the native-born workforce. The foreign-born workforce in the Nebraska grew while the native-born labor force decreased over the period from 1990 to 2010. Naturalization and Voting Patterns A clear measure of integration is the rate at which immigrants become naturalized citizens of the United States, a process which requires knowledge of American civics, history, and basic English proficiency. In Nebraska, 72% of immigrants who entered the country before 1980 were naturalized citizens, consistent with national numbers. Poverty Naturalized citizens experienced a higher poverty rate than native-born citizens, which goes against trends in other Midwestern states. However, native-born citizens experienced a considerably lower poverty rate than non-citizens, indicating a progressive level of assimilation.

Refugees in Nebraska As of FY 2010, refugees constituted roughly 5% of the state s total foreign-born population. While Nebraska does not resettle a particularly large number of refugees it currently ranks 9th out of 12 Midwestern states the state s low population density means that refugee communities tend to make up a larger proportion of the total population. For instance, Nebraska has the highest concentration of Sudanese refugees of any state in the country. Conclusion With one of the fastest growing foreign-born populations in the Midwest and the highest concentration of Sudanese, Nebraska has continued to be a magnet for immigration. Despite over half of foreign-born immigrants being concentrated in Omaha, immigrants have started to move into more rural and suburban communities. They represent an important growth in the state s labor force, both in low- and high-skilled jobs.

North Dakota: State-by-State Immigration Trends Courtesy of the Humphrey School of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota Prepared in 2012 for the Task Force on US Economic Competitiveness at Risk: A Midwest Call to Action on Immigration Reform Introduction North Dakota has maintained a small foreign-born population with a low rate of growth between 1990 and 2010. Yet increases in the foreign-born population and work force are key to the future prosperity of the state and the Midwest. As is the case across the entire United States, the most dramatic demographic shift in North Dakota has been the aging of its population a development that increases the tax burden on young workers who make payroll contributions to cover the costs of Social Security and Medicare. A steady influx of immigrant workers is essential to maintaining a young and productive workforce. Foreign-Born Population As of 2010, North Dakota has the smallest immigrant population in the Midwest with 2.5% of its population being born abroad. Educational Attainment Immigrants in North Dakota are both more and less educated than native-born residents. As a group, they are both more likely to have a graduate or professional degree and less likely to have a high school diploma than their native-born counterparts. Nationally and throughout the Midwest, children of immigrants tend to attain higher levels of education than their parents. Educational attainment is a very important dimension of integration, as it influences potential income and English-language proficiency.

Employment and Wages Since 2000, immigrants have been working in middle-skilled positions at a higher rate than any other kind of employment. Yet the greatest projected numbers of new jobs require little education or training. English Proficiency In 2010, a higher percentage of North Dakota s foreign-born residents spoke English well, very well, or fluently than in any other Midwestern state. Geographic Distribution Even as the state s urban areas saw significant increase in their foreign-born residents, the majority (55%) of immigrants living in North Dakota reside in Fargo.

Labor Force Data Although North Dakota s foreign-born workforce makes up a relatively small percentage of the total labor force, it grew at a rate that was 20 times faster than that for its native-born workforce. About 40% of immigrant workers in North Dakota were born in Asia, and about 20% were born in Europe and Africa. Naturalization and Voting Patterns A clear measure of integration is the rate at which immigrants become naturalized citizens of the United States, a process which requires knowledge of American civics, history, and basic English proficiency. In North Dakota, 76% of immigrants who entered the country before 1980 were naturalized citizens, consistent with national numbers.

Poverty The poverty rate for naturalized citizens was a third of the rate for non-citizens, indicating a progressive level of assimilation. Conclusion North Dakota has the lowest percentage and slowest growth rate of foreign-born residents in the Midwest. However, the state has the highest percentage (92%) of foreign-born residents with high levels of English proficiency in the region. With half of all foreign-born residents concentrated in Fargo, most immigrants have continued to move into urban communities. They represent an important increase in the state s labor force, both in low- and high-skilled jobs.

Ohio: State-by-State Immigration Trends Courtesy of the Humphrey School of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota Prepared in 2012 for the Task Force on US Economic Competitiveness at Risk: A Midwest Call to Action on Immigration Reform Introduction Ohio has a small and slow-growing foreign-born population. Yet increases in the foreign-born work force are key to the future prosperity of the state and the Midwest. As is the case across the entire United States, the most dramatic demographic shift in Ohio has been the aging of its population a development that increases the tax burden on young workers who make payroll contributions to cover the costs of Social Security and Medicare. A steady influx of immigrant workers is essential to maintaining a young and productive workforce. Foreign-Born Population As of 2010, Ohio s immigration population was 4% of its state population, about one-third of the national average. Educational Attainment Immigrants in Ohio are both more and less educated than native-born residents. As a group, they are both more likely to have a bachelors, graduate or professional degree and less likely to have a high school diploma than their native-born counterparts. Nationally and throughout the Midwest, children of immigrants tend to attain higher levels of education than their parents. Educational attainment is a very important dimension of integration, as it influences potential income and English language proficiency.

Employment and Wages Since 2000, immigrants have been working in middle-skilled positions at a higher rate than any other kind of employment. Yet, the greatest project numbers of new jobs require little education or training. English Proficiency As is the case across the Midwest, a large majority of Ohio s foreign-born residents have a strong command of English. Geographic Distribution Even with dramatic growth in rural Ohio s foreign-born population, the state s largest immigrant communities are concentrated in suburban Cleveland, Columbus, and Cincinnati. Labor Force Data The proportion of immigrants in the US labor force almost doubled between 1990 and 2010 from 9 to 16 percent, at a time when the percentage of native-born workers decreased from 91 to 84%. Although the foreign-born workforce makes up a relatively small percentage of the total labor force, it grew at a rate that was seven times faster rate than that for the native-born workforce. Forty percent of immigrant workers in Ohio were born in Asia, a quarter are from Europe and 21% are from Latin America.

Refugees in Ohio Ohio is a popular resettlement location for refugees. Since the beginning of FY 2000, it has accepted 17,473 refugees from 50 countries. The largest refugee community hails from Somalia, the second largest Somali population in the country, second only to Minnesota. In recent years, the fastest growing refugee communities include the Nepali-Bhutanese and ethnic Karen and Chin from Burma. Refugee communities in Ohio tend to concentrate in urban areas, principally Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Akron, and Dayton. Though estimates vary, Columbus is estimated to be home to around 30,000 Somalis. Conclusion Despite having one of the slowest-growing foreign-born populations in the Midwest, Ohio has become a major regional hub for refugees since 2000. Even as most immigrants are concentrated in major cities, many have begun to move into suburban and rural communities. They represent an important increase in the state s labor force, both in low- and high-skilled jobs.

South Dakota: State-by-State Immigration Trends Courtesy of the Humphrey School of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota Prepared in 2012 for the Task Force on US Economic Competitiveness at Risk: A Midwest Call to Action on Immigration Reform Introduction South Dakota has a very small but growing foreign-born population. Increases in the foreign-born workforce are key to the future prosperity of the state and the Midwest region. As is the case across the entire United States, the most dramatic demographic shift in South Dakota has been the aging of its population a development that increases the tax burden on young workers who make payroll contributions to cover the costs of Social Security and Medicare. A steady influx of immigrant workers is essential to maintaining a young and productive workforce. Foreign-Born Population South Dakota is one of the states with the lowest percentage of immigrants, with 2.7% of the population being born abroad. Educational Attainment Immigrants in South Dakota are both more and less educated than the native-born residents. As a group, they are both more likely to have a graduate or professional degree and less likely to have a high school diploma than their native-born counterparts. Nationally and throughout the Midwest, children of immigrants tend to attain higher levels of education than their parents. Educational attainment is a very important dimension of integration, as it influences potential income and Englishlanguage proficiency.

English Proficiency As is the case across the Midwest, a large majority of South Dakota s foreign-born residents have a strong command of English. Geographic Distribution The majority of immigrants living in South Dakota live in Sioux Falls. Labor Force Data Though immigrant workers represent a modest proportion of the total workforce, the growth of South Dakota s foreign-born labor force has outpaced that of its native-born workforce, even as the entire labor force contracted 4.4% between 2000 and 2010. Approximately 30% of immigrant workers in South Dakota were born in Asia, and a quarter are from Latin America.

Wisconsin: State-by-State Immigration Trends Courtesy of the Humphrey School of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota Prepared in 2012 for the Task Force on US Economic Competitiveness at Risk: A Midwest Call to Action on Immigration Reform Introduction Wisconsin has a small but modestly growing foreign-born population. Increases in the foreign-born workforce are key to the future prosperity of the state and the Midwest. As is the case across the entire United States, the most dramatic demographic shift in Wisconsin has been the aging of its population a development that increases the tax burden on young workers who make payroll contributions to cover the costs of Social Security and Medicare. A steady influx of immigrant workers is essential to maintaining a young and productive workforce. Foreign-Born Population The percentage of Wisconsin s foreign-born population is on par with several other Midwestern states such as Indiana, Iowa, and Ohio, and surpasses states such as Missouri, North Dakota, and South Dakota. However, that percentage is roughly onethird of the US average. Educational Attainment Immigrants in Wisconsin are both more and less educated than native-born residents. As a group, they are both more likely to have a graduate or professional degree and less likely to have a high school diploma than their native-born counterparts. Nationally and throughout the Midwest, children of immigrants tend to attain higher levels of education than their parents. Educational attainment is a very important dimension of integration, as it influences potential income and English-language proficiency.

Employment and Wages Since 2000, immigrants have been working in middle-skilled positions at a higher rate than any other kind of employment. Yet the greatest projected numbers of new jobs require little education or training. English Proficiency As is the case across the Midwest, a large majority of Wisconsin s foreign-born residents have a strong command of English. Geographic Distribution Even as rural areas saw the most dramatic increase in foreign-born residents between 2000 and 2010, a slight majority (55%) of all immigrants in metropolitan areas of Wisconsin live in Milwaukee and Madison.

Labor Force Data The growth of the foreign-born labor force outpaces that of the native-born workforce in Wisconsin, although the entire labor force growth contracted by over half between 2000 and 2010. Almost half of the state s immigrant workers were born in Latin America, and a third are from Asia. Naturalization and Voting Patterns A clear measure of integration is the rate at which immigrants become naturalized citizens of the United States, a process which requires knowledge of American civics, history, and basic English proficiency. In Wisconsin, over 80% of immigrants who entered the country before 1980 were naturalized citizens, consistent with national numbers.

Poverty Naturalized citizens experienced a lower poverty rate than native-born citizens, who in turn experienced a considerably lower poverty rate than non-citizens, indicating a progressive level of assimilation. Refugees in Wisconsin In recent years, Wisconsin s refugee population has become increasingly diverse. Since 2000, Wisconsin has taken in 8,421 refugees from 32 countries. On average, 47 asylum seekers settle in the state each year. As of FY 2011, the core refugee groups represented in terms of national origin are from Laos, Burma, the former Yugoslavia, Somalia, and Iraq. These groups will likely change in the coming years as the number of arrivals from Laos and the former Yugoslavia declines and arrivals from new countries such as Burma and Bhutan continue to increase each year. Conclusion Even at a modest 4.5% of Wisconsin s total population, immigrants are an important part of the state s demography. While most immigrants are concentrated in Milwaukee and Madison, many have begun to move into more rural and suburban communities. They represent an important increase in the state s labor force, both in low- and high-skilled jobs.