02/12/2021
If financial calculations are too complicated for you, here is the bottom line: essentially all of Mississippi’s economic growth can be said to come from immigration labor. This could also be said about the state’s estimated profit numbers: with 3% annual growth and 3% of the state’s labor force estimated to be immigrants the numbers are too close to ignore.
The issue of pandemic economic recovery and how immigration policy will affect the US is big news. Although Trump-era policy backers still believe most immigration should be limited, mainstream news views are opposed to this. Even with conservative politics, economic recovery seems to take precedence over immigration restrictions. There is no doubt that the economy will suffer without immigration supporting growth.
Yahoo is joining the mainstream media trend with a survey of immigrants in Mississippi. In their article: “Should worker shortages change views of US immigration practices?” they estimate the state's immigrant population at 3%. Taxes paid are approximately $2 Billion, which is about 2% of the state's GDP: "The AIC documents that immigrant workers generate about $1.5 billion in spending power and pay $550.6 million in federal, state, and local taxes." Given Mississippi's average growth rate of 3% over the last 22 years, this will represent all of the state's growth. Although the numbers are not 100% proof, some sources still doubt the economic contribution of immigrants.
Worker shortages have developed with people quitting their jobs over pandemic issues. Some 4 million Americans quit their jobs in April alone.
