Washington D.C. (March 4, 2010) – The Immigration Policy Center has compiled research which shows that immigrants, Latinos, and Asians are an important part of Missouri’s economy, labor force, and tax base.Immigrants and their children are a growing economic and political force as consumers, taxpayers, and entrepreneurs. With the nation working towards economic recovery, Latinos, Asians and immigrants will continue to play a key role in shaping the economic and political future of the Show Me State.
Highlights from Missouri include:
• Immigrants made up 3.5 percent (208,121 people) of Missouri’s population in 2007.
• 40.7 percent of immigrants in 2007 (84,745 people) in Missouri were naturalized U.S. citizens who are eligible to vote.
• Latinos accounted for 3.0 percent (176,352) and Asians 1.4 percent (82,298) of Missourians in 2007.
• The purchasing power of Latinos totaled $4.3 billion and Asian buying power totaled $3.2 billion in Missouri in 2009.
• If all unauthorized immigrants were removed from Missouri, the state could lose $2.3 billion in economic activity, $1.0 billion in gross state product, and approximately 13,859 jobs.
There is no denying the contributions immigrants, Latinos, and Asians make in Missouri and the important role they will play in the state’s political and economic future.
