This report argues that the Buffalo region—long marked by population and labour-force decline—is well positioned to benefit from increased immigrant settlement and integration. It details that immigrants make up about 7% of the metro population and about 8% of the labour force, while in the city of Buffalo they account for roughly 10% of residents and 12% of the labour force. The analysis underscores that without in-migration the labour-force shrinkage will continue (for example, 36,000 more people will turn age 65 than will turn age 20 in the metro over the next decade). While there are short-term integration challenges, the report presents immigrants as a potential engine for revitalizing Buffalo’s economy through increased population, consumer demand, work-force participation, entrepreneurship, and tax base. It recommends that local actors view immigration not as a burden but as an opportunity for growth.

This WES report provides a comprehensive review of state-level policy reforms enacted in 2023 to expand immigrant and refugee workforce inclusion. Fifteen states passed legislation improving access to occupational licensure, professional credential recognition, and in-state tuition for refugees and humanitarian populations. The report highlights the creation and expansion of state Offices of New Americans in Maine, Minnesota, Utah, and North Dakota, and showcases model policies reducing barriers for internationally trained healthcare and education professionals. It also quantifies the economic costs of underemployment—over $40 billion in lost wages and $10 billion in tax revenue annually—and demonstrates how state-led initiatives can address critical workforce shortages in health, education, and skilled trades through immigrant inclusion.

This fact sheet presents a comprehensive demographic and socioeconomic profile of the 14.8 million low-income immigrants living in the United States in 2019—about one-third of the nation’s foreign-born population. The report finds that while most low-income immigrants hold legal status (about one-third citizens, one-third green-card holders, one-third unauthorized), they face persistent barriers such as low English proficiency, limited education, and restricted access to public benefits. Immigrants in this group are concentrated in industries like construction, food services, manufacturing, and healthcare. Latin America and the Caribbean account for 63 percent of origins, and 61 percent of low-income immigrants report limited English proficiency. Despite strong labor participation—65 percent of working-age individuals employed—wages remain low, with nearly half of full-time workers earning under $25,000 per year. The study underscores the need for inclusive policies to improve access to health insurance, benefits, and economic mobility opportunities for this vital segment of the U.S. workforce.

This fact sheet analyzes data from the OECD’s Program for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC) to compare the skills and economic outcomes of immigrant and U.S.-born college graduates. Immigrants make up 17% of all U.S. college graduates, with higher rates of advanced degrees (60% vs. 53%) and stronger concentrations in STEM and health fields (51% vs. 36%). Despite having slightly lower literacy and digital skills—largely due to assessments conducted only in English—immigrant graduates demonstrate comparable or stronger economic outcomes, including higher average monthly earnings ($7,145 vs. $6,499) and similar labor force participation (86% vs. 89%). However, about 21% of both immigrant and U.S.-born graduates experience “brain waste,” working in positions requiring only a high school education or being unemployed. The report concludes that improving English proficiency, credential recognition, and access to “bridge” programs could reduce skill underutilization and help fully harness immigrant talent to address national labor shortages.

Interactive data tool with state and local immigration economic and demographic indicators.

Article highlighting comparative family stability outcomes among immigrant families.

Data platform tracking OPT usage, high-skilled immigrant labor trends, and impacts on innovation and workforce pipelines.