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Every election cycle, conversations around immigration often draw out harmful sound bites, campaign ads, and stories designed to sow division among voters. These stories matter.
At Health Forward Foundation, we know the stories we hear and repeat to others are the building blocks of larger narratives that create our shared “common sense.” And it’s this common sense that shapes our perceptions, beliefs, and ultimately the policies that govern our society — policies that have a profound impact on our health.
No matter what is most frequently said of immigration, the truth is that new Americans bring a wealth of skills, experiences, and perspectives that significantly benefit our communities. We want to shed light onto the positive contributions immigrants make to our economies and workplaces on both sides of the state line.
A thriving workforce
Recently, Health Forward Foundation commissioned a study by The Perryman Group, that reported an impressive economic impact of immigrants in Missouri and Kansas. When considering multiplier effects, people who immigrated to work in Missouri contributed $55.2 billion in annual gross domestic product and 495,200 jobs. In Kansas, the impact included $46.4 billion in gross product and 419,500 jobs.
The use of multiplier effects in the analysis gives a more powerful sense of the impact new Americans have on our economy, but it may not be clear to everyone just what that means. A multiplier effect is like a ripple in a pond. When you spend money, it doesn’t just stop with that one action. It keeps circulating and creating additional economic activity like ripples spreading out from a splash. So, one dollar spent can lead to many more dollars being spent, boosting the whole economy.
These findings demonstrate how new Americans strengthen our workforce and contribute to our economic growth.
Meeting labor shortages
Data from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce reveals that both Missouri and Kansas are experiencing severe labor shortages meaning there aren’t enough available workers to fill open positions. In both states, there are two open jobs for every available worker. The valuable skills that immigrants bring help bridge this gap and ensure our communities can thrive.
Contributing through taxes
In the U.S., more immigrants tend to be of working age when compared to native-born people, and they are paying their fair share in taxes that support essential government programs like Medicare and Social Security. In Missouri, immigrants have a collective spending power of $7.2 billion with tax contributions at $2.5 billion.
People with undocumented status contribute significantly through taxes paid at federal, state, and local levels – supporting services, programs, and infrastructure. In Kansas, for instance, undocumented immigrants contribute more than $208 million in state and local taxes annually. This demonstrates their commitment to supporting our communities, often at a higher tax rate relative to their earnings compared to the top 1 percent of earners – true for both Kansas and Missouri.
Building a stronger, more inclusive future
Negative and divisive rhetoric around immigration can have a chilling effect. It discourages immigrants from seeking essential health care services or reporting suspicious activity to law enforcement, ultimately affecting the safety and well-being of everyone.
The global pandemic highlighted the interconnectedness of our communities where the well-being of one group affected the well-being of other groups. Immigrants were a vital part of the essential workforce, keeping our communities running. As many people of color, including immigrants, made up a significant portion of the essential workforce during the pandemic, we all relied on their contributions, while they themselves put their personal health at risk. This experience underscores the importance of valuing immigrant contributions and fostering a more inclusive environment where everyone feels safe and supported.
Together, we can build a stronger future for everyone by telling the true story of the skills and contributions immigrants bring to our local communities and state economies.
