Immigrants account for 8% of Nebraska’s economic output, study finds

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — A new study finds that immigrants and refugees, regardless of immigration status, contribute 8% of Nebraska’s overall economic output. 

The report from the Immigration Research Initiative says more than 100,000 immigrants and refugees live in Nebraska, accounting for 9% of the labor force.

“Immigrants are here, and they’re contributing to our economy,” said Rebecca Firestone, executive director of OpenSky Policy Institute.

Two Federal Reserve economists said immigration, in addition to bringing talent from across the country, is key to addressing Nebraska’s labor shortage.

There has been much discussion in recent years about how to get more workers in Nebraska.

“But I think in those conversations, we’re just missing that we have people who are already coming to the state, that are already a part of the state economy,” Firestone said. “And what can we be doing in order to enable those folks to stay and to take up more jobs and be able to fill the job openings that we have in our state?” 

The study shows that immigrants work in jobs across the economic spectrum, contributing to their communities by shopping in local stores and paying payroll taxes.

Many also have their own business. 

Romulo Vega with Nebraska Appleseed’s Immigrants and Communities Program said immigrants are making an impact across the state. 

“In addition to immigrant Nebraskans being workers, there are many entrepreneurs, small business owners, and we see that across the state at different communities,” he said.

OpenSky and Nebraska Appleseed said there need to be policies to make our economy more inclusive.

For example, they mentioned recognizing more professional licenses from foreign countries.

They also advocated for updated immigration laws and driver’s license, health care and translation services for immigrants.