WHAT 8 LEGISLATORS NEED TO LNOW ABOUT IMMIGRANTS IN THEIR DISTRICTS

WHAT 8 LEGISLATORS NEED TO KNOW ABOUT IMMIGRANTS IN THEIR DISTRICTS? DATA FOR DECISION MAKERS SERIES Bruce P. Corrie, PhD Professor of Economics Concordia University corrie@csp.edu Eight legislators are cosponsors of HF 2576 which aims to remove the “sanctuary laws” currently in force in Minneapolis and Minnesota. Before they force Minneapolis and Saint Paul to change the “sanctuary” laws in the Twin Cities, they need to consider the following: Asian and Latinos make up most of the new immigrant population of Minnesota and play a critical role in the regional economies of the 8 House districts as consumers, firms, and workers. Key questions then:

• Have the legislators consulted with them about the proposed legislation?
• Do the top educational institutions in their districts such as Carlton College, College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University and Saint Cloud State University, support the proposed legislation?
• Do the regional chambers of commerce support the proposed legislation?

Local analysts (Luz Frias, Mayor Coleman’s office) have demonstrated that the intent of the proposed legislation is already covered under current laws. Below is a brief profile of the immigrant economy in their districts. For more details please send an email to corrie@csp.edu. Hennepin County ( Smith 33A and Johnson, J. 43A)

• Buying power of Asians and Latinos in Hennepin county is estimated to grow from 2.3 billion dollars in 2006 to 4.3 billion in 2030 – greater than the GDP of 50 countries in the world.

• According to the Economic Census, in 1997 in Hennepin County there were 3216 Asian and Latino firms with sales close to a billion dollars employing over 7000 people.
• According to the 2004 American Community Survey, Hennepin County ranked 92nd out of 236 counties in the nation for the percentage of foreign born population.
• Minorities/immigrants make up around 16 percent of the labor force in Hennepin County. However in 120 occupational categories with over 100 workers, their representation ranges from 17 to 57 percent.

Stearns County (House District 15 A Jim Knoblach)

• The Saint Cloud area attracts international students from all over the world. Just in two institutions, Saint Cloud State University and the College of Saint Benedict-Saint John’s University there are over 1000 international students from over 80 countries. These institutions invest a lot to make the area attractive to international students.
• In 4 industries in Stearns County Latino and Asian workers make up at least 10 percent of workers in the following industries with 100 or more workers:

• Buying Power of minorities in Stearns County is over 100 million dollars.

• Minorities/immigrants make up around 4 percent of the labor force in the St. Cloud MSA. However in 50 occupational categories with over 100 workers, their representation ranges from 4 to 35 percent.

Dakota and Goodhue Counties (Holberg 36 A; Garofalo 36 B)

• Buying Power of Asian and Latinos in Dakota County is an estimated to grow from 600 million dollars in 2006 to over 1 billion dollars in 2030 – greater than the GDP of 20 countries in the world in 2004.
• In 1997 there were 670 Asian and Latino firms in Dakota County with 127 million in sales employing 1255 people.
• According to the 2004 American Community Survey, Hennepin County ranked 140th out of 236 counties in the nation for the percentage of foreign born population.
• Minorities/immigrants make up around 8 percent of the labor force in Dakota County. However in over 80 occupational categories with over 100 workers, their representation ranges from 10 to 56 percent.

Mcleod and Meeker County (Newman 18A)

• Buying power of Asians and Latinos in McLeod County is estimated at 20 million dollars and 8 million dollars in Meeker County.

• Minorities/immigrants make up around 4.1 percent of the labor force in the Mcleod, Meeker and Sibley Counties. However in at least 20 occupational categories with over 100 workers, their representation ranges from 5 to 21 percent.

Washington County (Dean, 52 B)

• Buying power of Asian and Latinos in Washington County is estimated to grow from 282 million in 2006 to 656 million in 2030 – greater than the GDP of 18 countries in the world in 2004.
• According to the 1997 Economic Census, in the county, there were 336 Asian and Latino firms with 45 million dollars in sales employing 403 people.
• Minorities/immigrants make up around 5.6 percent of the labor force in Washington County. However in at least 70 occupational categories with over 100 workers, their representation ranges from 6 to 23 percent.

Chisago County (Nelson 17 B)

• Buying power of Asians and Latinos in Chisago County is estimated at 10 million dollars.
• Minorities/immigrants make up around 3 percent of the labor force in the Chisago and Isanti Counties. However in at least 24 occupational categories with at least 100 workers their share of the workforce ranges from 4 to 10 percent.

Buying Power of Minorities/Immigrants in key cities in these 8 legislative districts:

• Plymouth – 101 million dollars
• Mound - 6 million dollars
• Minnetrista over 2 million dollars
• Medina over 2 million dollars
• St. Cloud - 84 million dollars.
• Waite Park - 9 million dollars
• Rockville - 1 million dollars
• Long Prairie - 6 million dollars
• Sauk Rapids - 6 million dollars
• St. Joseph - 3 million dollars
• Princeton - 1.4 million dollars
• Big Lake - 4 million dollars
• Dassel - 700,000 dollars
• Paynesville – 760, 000 dollars
• Willmar - 67 million dollars
• Staples - 2 million dollars
• Lakeville – 47 million dollars
• Farmington – 11 million dollars
• Northfield – 31 million dollars
• Glencoe – 14 million dollars
• Hutchinson – 10 million dollars
• White Bear Lake – 22 million dollars
• Hugo- 4 million dollars
• Stillwater – 7 million dollars
• Lindstrom – 1.4 million dollars
• North Branch – 4.6 million dollars

House Authors (HF 2576) Knoblach; Smith; Johnson, J.; Holberg; Nelson, P.; Garofalo; Dean; Newman Short Description Local governments prohibited from adopting ordinances which prevent employees from cooperating with federal immigration authorities.