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Immigration

Minnesota is built on a foundation of interwoven cultures, and we continue to benefit from the ways immigrants from across the globe help build the vibrant communities we live in and love today. From Albert Lea to Zumbrota, Minnesota cities and towns thrive because of our diverse immigrant populations. Our research on immigration focuses on the contributions that New Americans bring to Minnesota, and policies at the state and federal level that can better allow immigrants to thrive and contribute to our communities.

Research

November 2015

President Obama's executive action on immigration would expand opportunity

Throughout our nation’s history, immigrants have come to the United States in search of opportunities to build a better life for themselves and their families. Immigrants put their skills to work, and build our workforce and revitalize communities. But federal immigration policy has not kept up with the nation’s economic needs. As a result, there are many immigrants who have strong ties in their communities, but who do not have a legal status. Many have been in the country for a long time and have children who are American citizens. Others came to the U.S. as small children and don’t recognize any other home.

Immigration Blog Posts

February 21, 2023

Driver’s licenses for all would strengthen Minnesota

Minnesota policymakers have an important opportunity in 2023 to expand access to driver’s licenses regardless of immigra...

February 01, 2023

Governor Walz releases FY 2024-25 budget priorities

In his proposal for the two-year FY 2024-25 budget cycle, Governor Tim Walz proposes $11.2 billion in additional funding for public services, with the largest amount of new dollars going toward education, economic development, and health and human services. He also proposes $5.4 billion in tax reductions in FY 2024-25, with the biggest component being a one-time tax rebate. Read more in our blog.

May 14, 2021

Driver’s licenses for all is important for building an equitable recovery

Expanding access to driver’s licenses regardless of immigration status would advance the economic success of our state....

January 05, 2021

Economic recovery would be strengthened by immigrant-inclusive COVID response

With the onset of winter, it’s clear that the coronavirus and accompanying economic disruption will continue to be with...

Research Focus

immigration highlight 2

Minnesota's Immigrant Contributions

Of Minnesota's 5.4 million residents, more than 418,000 are foreign-born. Nearly 50 percent of those are naturalized citizens. This is just some of the demographic data compiled in easy-to-use infographics that illustrate how Minnesota's immigrants contribute to our economic and cultural prosperity.

See our infographics highlighting demographic data for the state as a whole and for each of Minnesota's eight congressional districts.

Issues