New Haven, CT – A new report published by DataHaven and The Connecticut Immigrant Support Network shows how immigrants are critical to Connecticut’s economy—supporting major industries, driving entrepreneurship, and contributing billions in tax revenues and consumer spending.
Titled “The Economic Contributions of Connecticut’s Immigrant Community,” the publication highlights that immigrants make up 15% of the state’s population but hold about 20% of all jobs. Immigrant workers are critical to sectors like construction, agriculture, health care, and early childhood education, and also account for 26% of the state’s entrepreneurs. It also notes that immigrant-led households in Connecticut wield approximately $22 billion in spending power, which supports businesses and jobs across the state.
“Connecticut’s prosperity, both economically and otherwise, is closely tied to the contributions of its immigrant communities,” said Mark Abraham, Executive Director of DataHaven.
The report encourages Connecticut lawmakers to continue to pursue policies that welcome immigrants. It warns that deporting undocumented immigrants—who make up 3% of the state’s population—could have catastrophic consequences to the state’s economy. For instance, 87% of undocumented immigrants in Connecticut are of working age, and they contribute about one billion dollars in federal, state and local taxes each year.
“At this critical point in time, it is imperative to understand that undocumented immigrants contribute significantly to Connecticut's economy by participating in the workforce, by paying taxes, and by spending their money locally. Our state is more diverse and vibrant because of their presence,” said Tabitha Sookdeo, Executive Director of CT Students for a Dream, and a representative of The Connecticut Immigrant Support Network.
“Connecticut employers have long supported legal immigration, recognizing the contributions immigrants have made to our long legacy of innovation and the ongoing contributions to our economy," said Chris DiPentima, President and CEO of CBIA, the state’s largest business organization. "Immigrants bring essential skills that complement our workforce, filling labor shortages across a wide range of industries, helping drive productivity gains and job creation and making Connecticut's economy more competitive."
The full report is available for download online at https://www.ctdatahaven.org/reports/economic-contributions-connecticuts-immigrant-community.
