A report released on Tuesday highlights the need for additional efforts to assist immigrants in various areas in Los Angeles County. The report, titled the State of Immigrants in Los Angeles, was prepared by the USC Equity Research Institute, California Community Foundation, and Council on Immigrant Inclusion. It emphasizes the importance of college readiness, mental health, affordable housing, and support for newly arriving refugees.
The general manager of the city of Los Angeles Community Investment for Families Department, Abigail Marquez, believes that helping immigrants access education, employment, and better wages will have a positive impact on the economy. She states, “If we put more resources there, it will yield huge economic gains for us as a region.”
According to the researchers, immigrants represented 34% of the population in Los Angeles County in 2019. They paid a significant amount in taxes and had substantial spending power, showcasing their economic contributions. However, the report also highlights the need for greater inclusion of diverse perspectives in decision-making processes, particularly for indigenous groups and newer refugees and asylum seekers.
Language barriers and isolation remain challenges for immigrant households. The report reveals that 28% of immigrant households are linguistically isolated, rising to 37% among undocumented immigrant households.
The report acknowledges that Washington’s lack of meaningful immigration reform has put many immigrant Angelenos and their families in a state of uncertainty. Local action is crucial in removing barriers and promoting prosperity for immigrants. Los Angeles has the potential to lead the nation in showcasing the benefits of meeting the needs of immigrants.
The report provides ten recommendations for meeting the needs of immigrant communities:
- Produce comprehensive and accurate data to understand challenges and track investments in areas such as digital equity, housing resources, and healthcare.
- Address the full range of issues impacting immigrant lives, including physical and mental well-being.
- Ensure language access and cultural competency in all interactions, such as housing and healthcare.
- Promote entrepreneurship and workplace standards while eliminating achievement barriers and promoting family prosperity.
- Increase long-term investments in community-led efforts and reduce bureaucratic hurdles to ensure immigrant inclusion.
- Provide funds for immigrant-serving organizations to increase wages and reduce staff burnout.
- Invest in diverse immigrant communities that have received less attention, including LGBTQ+, disabled, Black, and Indigenous immigrants.
- Anticipate future trends such as increasing numbers of refugees and immigrants and the aging population among immigrants.
- Focus on going beyond integration to inclusion and ensuring equitable programs for immigrants and communities of color.
- Create policies and investments that position Los Angeles as a leader in immigrant inclusion.
Manuel Pastor, director of the USC Equity Research Institute, believes that L.A. County has the potential to provide equitable access to resources and foster a welcoming environment for immigrant communities. While there is still work to be done, L.A. County continues to innovate policies that promote racial justice and equity for all.
Denial of responsibility! VigourTimes is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
