Immigrants now account for 20% of Connecticut’s workforce

Key Takeaways

• Immigrants make up 20% of Connecticut’s workforce in 2025, up from 19.6% in 2023.
• 26% of Connecticut business owners are immigrants, contributing $22 billion in spending power.
• Undocumented immigrants pay $1 billion annually in taxes and are protected by the Trust Act.

Immigrants Now Hold 20% of Connecticut’s Workforce: New Report Highlights Growing Economic Role

A new report released in May 2025 by DataHaven and the Connecticut Immigrant Support Network reveals that immigrants now make up 20% of all jobs in Connecticut, even though they represent only 15% of the state’s population. This is a notable increase from previous years and shows how important immigrants have become to Connecticut’s economy and workforce. The findings, widely covered in local media, come at a time when the state’s native-born population is aging and shrinking, making immigrant workers even more essential.

Let’s break down what this means for Connecticut, the people who live and work there, and the future of the state’s economy.

Immigrants’ Growing Share in Connecticut’s Workforce

Who are Connecticut’s immigrants? Immigrants in Connecticut come from many different countries and backgrounds. They include people who have become U.S. citizens, those with green cards (permanent residents), people with work visas, and undocumented immigrants. As of the end of 2023, immigrants made up 19.6% of Connecticut’s workforce, up from 17.3% just ten years earlier. This means that nearly one out of every five workers in the state was born outside the United States 🇺🇸.

Why is this happening? The main reason is that Connecticut’s native-born population is getting older. More people are retiring, and there are fewer young people entering the workforce. At the same time, the number of immigrants in the state has grown by 18% over the past decade, reaching more than 590,000 people. In contrast, the native-born population has dropped by 2.3%.

How do immigrants compare to native-born workers? Immigrants are more likely to be working than people born in the United States 🇺🇸. The labor force participation rate for immigrants is 69.7%, compared to 65.3% for native-born residents. This means that a higher percentage of immigrants are either working or looking for work.

Key Sectors and Economic Impact

Where do immigrants work? Immigrants are especially important in certain industries that are facing worker shortages. According to the report, they are highly represented in:

• Construction: 9.5% of the foreign-born working-age population works in construction, compared to just 5.2% of native-born workers.
• Agriculture: Many immigrants work on farms and in food production.
• Health Care: Immigrants fill many jobs in hospitals, nursing homes, and home care.
• Early Childhood Education: Immigrants play a big role in child care and early education.

Entrepreneurship and business ownership: Immigrants are not just workers—they are also business owners. About 26% of entrepreneurs in Connecticut are immigrants. This means that more than one in four people who start and run businesses in the state were born outside the United States 🇺🇸. These businesses create jobs and help local communities grow.

Spending power and taxes: Immigrant-led households in Connecticut have a combined spending power of $22 billion. This means they buy goods and services, pay rent and mortgages, and support local businesses. Immigrants also pay billions in federal, state, and local taxes each year. Even undocumented immigrants—about 150,000 people in Connecticut—contribute about $1 billion in taxes annually.

The Role of Undocumented Immigrants

How many undocumented immigrants live in Connecticut? The report estimates that about 150,000 unauthorized immigrants lived in Connecticut in 2022, making up about 3% of the state’s population. Most of these individuals (87%) are of working age, and many have lived in the state for years.

What jobs do undocumented immigrants do? Many work in industries that are essential to the state’s economy, such as agriculture, construction, and food service. Their high participation in the workforce means that removing them could have serious effects on the economy. As reported by VisaVerge.com, deporting undocumented immigrants could have “catastrophic consequences” for Connecticut’s economy, given their high workforce participation and tax contributions.

Access to services: Undocumented immigrants have limited access to government benefits and services. They are not eligible for most federal programs, such as Medicaid or food assistance, but they still pay taxes and contribute to the state’s economy.

Policy Environment: The Trust Act and Political Debate

What is the Trust Act? Connecticut’s Trust Act, first passed in 2013 and expanded in 2019, limits how much local police can work with federal immigration authorities. This means that local law enforcement does not automatically help with federal immigration enforcement, providing some protection for undocumented residents.

Current political debate: Some Republican lawmakers, like State Sen. Rob Sampson, want to repeal or tighten the Trust Act, arguing that it conflicts with federal law. However, Democratic leaders, including Speaker of the House Matt Ritter, have said there are no plans to change the Trust Act in 2025. They are open to making changes if federal policy shifts, but for now, the law remains in place.

Attorney General William Tong has also spoken out in support of immigrants, strongly opposing federal efforts to end birthright citizenship and supporting protections for immigrant communities.

Why Immigrants Matter to Connecticut’s Economy

Filling labor shortages: As Connecticut’s native-born population ages and more people retire, there are not enough young workers to fill all the open jobs. Immigrants are stepping in to fill these gaps, especially in industries that are struggling to find enough workers.

Driving entrepreneurship: Immigrants are more likely than native-born residents to start businesses. These businesses create jobs, pay taxes, and help communities thrive.

Supporting tax base and public services: Immigrants pay billions in taxes each year, helping to fund schools, roads, and other public services. Even those who are undocumented contribute through payroll and sales taxes.

Economic experts agree: According to Balazs Zelity, Assistant Professor of Economics at Wesleyan University, the state’s economic growth depends on immigrants, especially as the baby boomer generation retires. Mark Abraham, Executive Director of DataHaven, says, “Connecticut’s prosperity, both economically and otherwise, is closely tied to the contributions of its immigrant communities.”

Step-by-Step: How Immigrants Can Work in Connecticut

If you are an immigrant looking to work in Connecticut, here are the main steps you need to follow:

1. Legal Status: You must have legal permission to work in the United States 🇺🇸. This could be through citizenship, a green card (permanent residency), a work visa, or special programs like DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) or TPS (Temporary Protected Status).
2. Employment Verification: When you get a job, your employer will ask you to fill out Form I-9. This form is used to prove that you are allowed to work in the United States 🇺🇸. You can find the official Form I-9 here.
3. Access to Services: Your eligibility for government benefits depends on your immigration status. Some programs are only for citizens or permanent residents, while others may be available to people with certain visas. Undocumented immigrants have very limited access to most government benefits.
4. Starting a Business: If you want to start your own business, you do not have to be a citizen. Many immigrants become entrepreneurs, and about 26% of all business owners in Connecticut are foreign-born.

For more information about working in Connecticut, you can visit the Connecticut Department of Labor, which provides resources for job seekers and employers.

Impact on Social Services and Community Life

Social services: Federal policy changes, especially under President Trump, have included proposals to cut programs like Medicaid, SNAP (food assistance), and TANF (cash assistance), and to restrict benefits for immigrants. If these changes go into effect, many immigrant families could face more economic hardship, especially those working in early childhood education and care sectors.

Community contributions: Immigrants are not just workers—they are neighbors, parents, and community leaders. They help make Connecticut’s cities and towns more vibrant and diverse. Their children attend local schools, and many immigrants volunteer or participate in community organizations.

Multiple Perspectives: Support and Opposition

Business leaders: Many business owners support policies that welcome immigrants, saying they help fill critical labor shortages and drive innovation.

Immigrant advocates: Groups that support immigrants warn that stricter federal or state policies could hurt the economy and make life harder for vulnerable families.

Opponents of current policies: Some lawmakers and groups argue for stricter enforcement of immigration laws and want Connecticut to cooperate more with federal authorities, especially regarding undocumented immigrants.

Historical Context: How Did We Get Here?

Over the past decade, Connecticut’s immigrant population has steadily increased, while the native-born population has declined and aged. The Trust Act was passed in 2013 to protect undocumented residents from being turned over to federal immigration authorities by local police. It was expanded in 2019 to provide even more protections.

Federal immigration policy has changed several times in recent years. The Trump administration has signaled plans for more restrictions and mass deportations, but details remain unclear. These changes could have a big impact on Connecticut’s immigrant communities.

Looking Ahead: What’s Next for Connecticut?

Demographic trends: The share of immigrants in Connecticut’s workforce is expected to keep rising as the state’s population continues to age and labor shortages persist. This means immigrants will likely play an even bigger role in the state’s economy in the years to come.

Policy changes: For now, there are no major changes planned for Connecticut’s Trust Act. However, future changes may depend on what happens at the federal level and in state politics.

Federal policy: If the federal government makes it harder for immigrants to get benefits or increases enforcement, this could affect Connecticut’s economy and the well-being of immigrant families.

Practical Guidance for Immigrants and Employers

• For immigrants: Make sure you have the right documents to work legally. If you are unsure about your status or need help, contact organizations like the Connecticut Immigrant Support Network or visit the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website for official information.
• For employers: Always use Form I-9 to verify work eligibility. Stay up to date on state and federal laws regarding hiring immigrants.
• For community members: Support local businesses and organizations that help immigrants. Understand that immigrants are a vital part of Connecticut’s economy and community life.

Key Takeaways

• Immigrants now make up 20% of Connecticut’s workforce, even though they are only 15% of the population.
• Immigrants are essential in industries like construction, health care, agriculture, and child care.
• Entrepreneurship is strong among immigrants, with 26% of business owners in the state being foreign-born.
• Undocumented immigrants contribute about $1 billion in taxes each year and are vital to the state’s economy.
• Connecticut’s Trust Act remains in place, providing protections for undocumented residents, with no major changes planned for 2025.
• The state’s economic future depends on immigrants, especially as the native-born population ages and shrinks.

For more detailed data and analysis, you can read the full report from DataHaven or visit the Connecticut Department of Labor for workforce resources. Analysis from VisaVerge.com suggests that the economic reliance on immigrants will only deepen as demographic trends continue.

Connecticut’s story is one of change, resilience, and opportunity. As the state’s population shifts and its economy evolves, immigrants will remain at the heart of its workforce and its future.

Learn Today

Workforce Participation Rate → The percentage of people working or actively seeking employment within a population group.
Undocumented Immigrants → Individuals residing in the U.S. without legal permission or valid immigration status.
Trust Act → Connecticut law restricting local police cooperation with federal immigration enforcement to protect undocumented residents.
Form I-9 → A federal document employers use to verify employees’ eligibility to work legally in the U.S.
Entrepreneurship → The process of starting and operating new businesses, often driven by innovation and risk-taking.

This Article in a Nutshell

Immigrants now represent one-fifth of Connecticut’s workforce, vital in industries like construction and healthcare. Their growing presence supports economic growth, entrepreneurship, and tax revenues, while state protections like the Trust Act help undocumented workers. Connecticut relies increasingly on immigrants amid an aging native population and a shrinking labor pool.
— By VisaVerge.com