Guest column: Immigration funding invests in state's future
In recent years, Massachusetts, like many states across the U.S., has experienced a surge in immigration. As the state deals with this influx, it's important to learn more about challenges, the arguments from both sides and the societal implications.
Massachusetts has long been a hub for immigrants, with its rich history of welcoming diverse populations. According to the American Immigration Council, immigrants now make up over 17% of the state's population. In some communities, the increase has been especially pronounced. The past decade saw an influx of immigrants primarily from Central and South America, notably from countries like Brazil, Guatemala and El Salvador.
When we speak of immigrants, we're not just referring to numbers but to people seeking better futures. The influx of immigrants in Massachusetts has surpassed the financial provisions allocated for essential services they might need.
Democratic Gov. Maura Healey said in August that the state was spending $45 million a month on programs and emergency shelters for newly arrived migrant and displaced families. The situation reflects a broader financial dilemma where current resources are insufficient to meet the escalating needs of the immigrant population.
A 2017 report by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine found that immigration has an overall positive effect on the native-born workers' wages and employment opportunities in the long term. Moreover, immigrants contribute significantly to economic growth. In the Boston metro area alone, immigrants paid $12.6 billion in taxes in 2019, according to the New American Economy, a research and advocacy organization.
Some Massachusetts towns claim they're overwhelmed by the increase in immigrant arrivals. Schools, social services and health care facilities feel the strain. However, this isn't a reason to push back; it's a call for more robust support from the state.
Immigrants are vital to cultural diversity and have been shown to foster innovation, enrich community life, and drive economic growth.
Cities like Lowell have revitalized and thrived on the back of immigrant enterprises and cultural contributions.
"I arrived here with nothing. Now, I own a small bakery, employing locals and contributing to the community," shares Loan Tran, a Vietnamese immigrant and owner of a thriving eatery in Northborough, in an interview I conducted.
A report by the New American Economy in partnership with the Lowell Refugee and Immigrant Support and Engagement Coalition and the Greater Lowell Chamber of Commerce underscores the substantial economic contribution of immigrant households in Lowell. In 2017 alone, these households earned nearly $1.5 billion and contributed $402 million in taxes.
Increasing funding is not charity, it's an investment. Every dollar spent on education, health care and integration services for immigrants will likely yield returns in the form of contributions to society and the economy.
A group of students at Shrewsbury High seeks to address these issues through their initiative, Aidworks Foundation. This student-run organization has been working closely with the state, town departments, nonprofits and private industries to assist over 83 families, potentially installing sports equipment, providing extra necessary supplies and coordinating events with the goal of enhancing the quality of life for these families.
It's not enough to acknowledge the issue; proactive action is crucial. With the immigration surge unlikely to recede soon, Massachusetts must step up its game. The state government should collaborate with local communities, nonprofits and businesses to formulate a comprehensive plan. To comprehend the population, an increase in spending is necessary.
Massachusetts stands at a pivotal crossroads, embodying the very essence of what America represents: a melting pot of cultures, dreams and hopes. Simply recognition isn’t enough. As our high schoolers have demonstrated through the Aidworks Foundation, there's a pressing need to rise and act.
We, the residents of Massachusetts, must urge our state leaders to significantly increase funding, specifically for immigrant services. The rationale isn't merely economic, though the long-term dividends are evident. It is about upholding the ideals on which our nation was founded.
It is about ensuring that the immigrant mother from El Salvador or the young entrepreneur from Brazil can access the same opportunities and services that any Massachusetts native is entitled to. Because when we uplift the most vulnerable among us, we uplift our entire state.
Trung Nguyen is a senior at Shrewsbury High School and executive director of AidWorks Foundation.
This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Trung Nguyen on benefits of raising immigration funding in Massachusetts
