Posted on 07/14/2005 5:23:23 PM PDT by bayourod
The impact of immigration on the state economy is becoming more significant as the number of workers born in another country has doubled in the past 25 years, according to a study released last month by a Boston-based think tank.
The report by MassINC, titled "The Changing Face of Massachusetts," explained that a new immigrant population lacks English proficiency necessary for an increasingly competitive labor force.
"Businesses say, of course, they want a skilled workforce," said Jane C. Edmonds, director of the Massachusetts Department of Workforce Development, who was one of six panelists discussing the implications of the MassINC study at a forum in Boston last month.
The panelists represented economic sectors affected by the relatively recent shift in immigration.
According to the study, immigration increased by 40 percent in the past 15 years. Today, one in seven Massachusetts residents are foreign born, and they account for 17 percent of the state's labor force.
Many immigrants now hail from countries such as Latin America, Asia and the Caribbean, resulting in a significant population lacking basic English language skills.
The Service Employees International Union Local 615 in Massachusetts exemplifies the changing immigrant population. Eighty percent of its members are immigrants and the majority come from Latin America, said Union President Rocio Saenz.
"In short, our workers are the changing face of Massachusetts," he said.
On average, immigrants are three times more likely to lack a high school diploma than native-born residents. That fact is alarming, considering how unfriendly the economy has become to workers who do not have higher education credentials, the study said.
The technology industry needs a skilled workforce, said Donna Cupelo, Verizon's regional president and a panelist at the forum.
The study shows that the state faces a human capital challenge, said lead author Andrew W. Sum. Almost 21 percent of immigrants age 20 to 64 in 2000 had limited English speaking skills, and 71 percent were not prepared for the "knowledge economy." [continue]
But by all means keep up your pro-illegal alien flacking.
Citing a source from a liberal "public interest" group from one of the most liberal states in country.
Just what side are you on? Furthering the DNC's agenda???
Apparently some folks have decided they can pick and choose which laws they want to obey.
Jeez, Rod, what's happened to you?
At least you used to be able to spell.
>> "In short, our workers are the changing face of Massachusetts," he said.
The face of this state sure is changing. Middle class non government employees are bailing out and illiterate central Americans are pouring in.
Most of my friends and family are already gone, we're saving to move anywhere but here.
If you do not work for a state, county or municipal organization here, you are screwed... Unless you are into downward mobility.
He is the perfect example of a useful idiot.
In Massachusetts, there is no greater waste of time that to go into (certain specific) immigrant communities to recruit for the military.
Socialism?
Hey "rod". Did you get the gist of this story? Immigration is ruining, degrading, eroding and depleting the skilled work force in Mass. By the time they catch up all the good people will have left and Mass will be begging the feds for tax dollars to support the up-coming welfare state.
Do you have the ability to use logic at all?
Better than educating and assimilating illegals would be a child friendly enviornment where Americans have another child or two.
"the rod" posted one that proves our contention that illegal immigration can ruin a state.
"The ones that suppress the education of the children of their immigrants will reap what they sow."
Bay, I'm tired of paying for the welfare for your little brothers and sisters from the south.
Uh-huh...indexed.
Why did I know from the title that bayourod had hunted up another article written by a one world socialist POS?
We pay to educate our children because they will grow up to take our places and continue our progress. To refuse to educate children doesn't just hurt those children, it hurts us as well. Ever hear about cutting off your nose to spite your face?
ping
"Study: Immigration is the engine moving state's economy"
Where does it say the states economy is changing "for the better" and that this is attributed to, rather than retarded by illegal immigrants?
It seems to lump ALL immigrants together.
In otherwords, it's another worthless study.
100 years ago, we used to quarantine people with TB and leprosy. Now we're hiring them to cut our lawns and prepare our food!
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