On seeing this post I've copied below, I am reminded of how much immigrants contributed to the workforce after Hurricane Katrina in my hometown of Bay St. Louis, MS. After the storm, everything needed to be rebuilt, and there were not enough contractors, laborers, or construction workers to handle the demand. Immigrants came to town and provided much needed help. According to this post below, it seems these immigrants have become an important part of the economy.
AMERICANS IN THE YELLOWHAMMER AND MAGNOLIA STATES: Immigrants, Latinos, and Asians are a Growing Economic Force in Alabama and Mississippi
The Immigration Policy Center has compiled research which shows that immigrants, Latinos, and Asians are an important part of Alabama and Mississippi's economies, labor force, and tax base. Immigrants and their children are a growing economic force as consumers, taxpayers, and entrepreneurs. With the nation working towards economic recovery, Latinos, Asians and immigrants will continue to play a key role in shaping the economic and political future of the Yellowhammer and Magnolia States.
Highlights from Alabama include:
Immigrants made up 3.0% of Alabamans (or 137,275 people) in 2007.
The purchasing power of Latinos totaled $3.1 billion and Asian buying power totaled nearly $1.8 billion in Alabama in 2009.
If all unauthorized immigrants were removed from Alabama, the state could lose $2.6 billion in economic activity and $1.1 billion in gross state product.
Highlights from Mississippi include:
Immigrants made up 1.7% of Mississippians (or 49,483 people) in 2007.
The purchasing power of Latinos totaled $1.6 billion and Asian buying power totaled $862.1 million in Mississippi in 2009.
If all unauthorized immigrants were removed from Mississippi, the state could lose $583 million in economic activity and $259 million in gross state product.
There is no denying the contributions immigrants, Latinos, and Asians make in Alabama and Mississippi and the important role they will play in the states' economic futures.
KJ
http://lawprofessors.typepad.com/immigration/
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It kind of reminds me of the early years in California when immigrants were brought into the region to help w/the railroad. In addition to growth of the state, we now we have a greater cultural diversity. It's interesting to evaluate the effect immigrants have on our economy and culture.
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