Immigrants More Likely to Have Jobs Than Native Born: Report

Foreign-born residents put more into economy than they take out of it, according to report.

A new report shines a flattering light on California's immigrants.

Foreign-born residents are more likely to have jobs than native-born citizens, according to the report from the California Immigrant Policy Center. Also, immigrants put more into the economy than they take out of it, the Daily Breeze reported.

Los Angeles County Supervisor Mike Antonovich's office criticized the report for making no distinction between legal and illegal immigrants in the report.

Highlights from "Looking Forward: Immigrant Contributions to the Golden State 2010"

  • 27 percent (9.9 million) of California residents are immigrants, a rate higher than any other state in the nation.
  • Immigrants and their children make up 41 percent of California's population. Of all children in California, 48 percent have at least one immigrant parent.
  • Immigrants participate in the labor force at slightly higher rates than non-immigrants, with 62 percent of immigrants and 60 percent of non-immigrants over the age of 16 employed in California.
  • For Latino and Asian men, this difference is even greater. About 84 percent of all Latino and Asian immigrant men age 25-64 are employed, compared with 78 percent of U.S.-born Latino and Asian men.
  • Immigrants contribute 32 percent of California's GDP and make up 27 percent of the total household income in California. These numbers represent the researchers' claim that immigrants put more into the economy than they take out of it.
  • 42 percent of Californians speak a language other than English at home. However, demand for English language instruction is on the rise.
  • Two out of three foreign-born California residents (6.8 million) are either U.S. citizens or are eligible to naturalize and become voters.

Highlights from "Immigrants in the Orange County Region"

  • 30 percent of residents in Orange County are immigrants, and 44 percent of immigrants in Orange County are citizens.
  • Immigrants in Orange County contribute about 33 percent of the region's GDP and make up 28 percent of the total household income.
  • Immigrants make up:
    • 89 percent of maids and housekeeping cleaners
    • 85 percent of bakers
    • 85 percent of roofers
    • 80 percent of painters, construction and maintenance workers

Highlights from "Immigrants in the Inland Empire Region"

  • 22 percent of residents in the Inland Empire are immigrants, and 38 percent of immigrants in the Inland Empire are citizens.
  • Immigrants comprise 29 percent of the labor force in the Inland Empire.
  • Immigrants make up:
    • 81 percent of agricultural workers and animal breeders.
    • 66 percent of grounds maintenance workers
    • 62 percent of maids and housekeeping cleaners
    • 64 percent of roofers

More information is available at www.caimmigrant.org/contributions.html.

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