Fact: The percentage of Massachusetts residents who are immigrants has significantly decreased. In 1900, immigrants comprised 32%; in 2004 they comprised 14%.
Myth: Immigrants are straining our economy.
Fact: Massachusetts would have lost over 100,000 workers in the 1990s if not for immigration. With a declining workforce, MA would not have been able to attract companies and business.
Myth: Immigrants don't want to learn English.
Fact: Of those Massachusetts residents who speak another language, 77% speak English well or very well. In 2005, there were over 18,000 people on waitings lists for English for Speakers of Other Language (ESOL) classes.
*facts courtsy of Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Adovocacy Coalition.