What Are the Economic Contributions of Immigrants to Tennessee?
At a time of uncertainty, when it comes to issues regarding immigration, it is important to look at the positive side of immigration in this great country. The Immigration Policy Center (IPC), the research and policy division of the American Immigration Council (AIC) (a non-partisan, non-profit organization) does in-depth research and then publishes fact sheets that highlight the demographic and economic impact of immigrants in this country.
The IPC’s research compiles data on Asians and Latinos in particular, and traces how these immigrant groups have become an essential part of their state’s economy, labor force and tax base. And just as we suspected, immigrants add to the rich, melting-pot culture here in Tennessee and throughout the country.
Highlights of the AIC’s Fact Sheet on New Americans in Tennessee
Foreign-born immigrants comprise 4.7 percent of Tennessee’s population; more than one-third of them are naturalized U.S. citizens who are eligible to vote. Both foreign-born and native-born Latinos and Asians account for one in 16 of Tennessee’s population, and they wield $12.3 billion in consumer purchasing power. Businesses owned and operated by Latinos and Asians generated more than $5.4 billion and employed more than 38,000 people. They are a driving force in what makes out economy work.
Here are some other fast facts about the impact of immigrants on Tennessee:
- Immigration boosts housing values. Between 200 and 2010, the value added by immigration to the price of the average home was $2,395 in Shelby County, $3,564 in Davidson County; $718 in St. Charles County; $664 in Kent County; and $575 in Washtenaw County.
- Naturalized citizens excel in education. AIC’s research shows that in Tennessee, 34.1 percent of foreign-born persons who were naturalized U.S. citizens in 2011 had a bachelor’s degree or higher compared to 23.8 percent of noncitizens. The number of immigrants in Tennessee who had a college degree increased by 84.8 percent between 2000 and 2011 when compared to 23.4 percent of noncitizens age 25 and older.
- Unauthorized immigrants pay taxes. Unauthorized immigrants in Tennessee paid about $109 million in state and local taxes in 2012 including $91.4 million in sales tax and $17.1 million in property taxes according to data from the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy.
If you wonder about what your rights are while you are living in the United States regardless of your immigration status, or if you have questions about how to become a permanent resident in Tennessee, you are invited to contact Knoxville immigration attorney Patrick Slaughter at LaFevor & Slaughter, or call 865-637-6258, to schedule a consultation to discuss your case today. We are here to represent immigrants and their families and protect their rights when they have been infringed upon, and we are ready to help you, too.
As the Managing Attorney with LaFevor & Slaughter, Jason R. Hines handles new client consultations, strategic planning and implementation and represents clients in all the Firm’s practice areas.
As an attorney practicing law in Tennessee since 2009, Jason has represented clients from all walks of life in a wide range of cases in the State and Federal Courts of Tennessee. His practice areas include divorce, family law and immigration.